Starting as a School Nurse this Fall- nervous and excited!

[NurseNellie1]

Hello All!

This is my first time posting on here, but I've been a long-time reader. I've been working at a hospital for about a year and a half (my first nursing job), but I am going to start working as a school nurse in September at a NYC school for special needs children.This is a big change so early in my career. However, when I am at the hospital, I am anxious, I dread going to work, and a "rewarding" shift is few and far between. I am thinking about asking to stay on per diem at the hospital, this way I can make some extra money and hold on to those "hospital skills" as well, especially since I will be working with special needs children who may have more than bumps and bruises. Sometimes I still question if I am making the right decision, but I just don't know if I am the type of person who wants to work in the hospital environment full time for my whole career. I guess I will find out when I start in September how I like being a School Nurse! Any advice?

[Nurse ABC]

Congratulations on your new job! I think it's a great idea to stay per diem at the hospital. It gives you a back up if you decide school nursing isn't your thing and keeps your skills fresh. If you decide after a while you love school nursing and don't plan on ever returning to the hospital, it's fine to give that up if you don't need the money. Good luck!

[cynmrn]

I am in exactly the same position as you are! I have been working at a hospital for a year on the intermediate care unit (telemetry step down) and while I've appreciated learning and love my co-workers, I often go to work feeling anxiety and dread. There are some nights when I have fewer patients that I feel okay, but for the most part, I am just trying to get through it. During my BSN program, I did clinical for 6 months in the school district and loved it, and am starting out as a new school nurse in September. I am staying at my hospital and working every other Fri/Sat to keep my skills and continue to make a living wage. I'm really nervous, but I'm excited to see where it takes me. I went to school to become a nurse so I could have a career I look forward to, not one that puts knots in my stomach. Hoping this will be the one! Good luck to you, too!

[SWimbish, BSN, RN]

How did it go? Do you love it?

[WineRN]

Welcome!

One of the best things I was told in nursing school is

"Not everyone likes acute care and that's OK."

I dreaded going to work when I was at the hospital. It was profit over people, and with patient satisfaction surveys being so vital I was more of a maid than a nurse sometimes.

I'm new to the school nursing too, but I have a lot of experience with the DD/ID population. Things made get rough but it will be so rewarding.