Thinking of a change.

schoolnurse/dr · Dec 17, 2003

You need to be ready for everything, literally. Kids do everything from break arms to have asthma attacks, when you're unable to reach their parents and they have no medicine at school. It's a great job if you like autonomy, weekends and holidays off and the summer off. Most of the kids you see during the day just need to get out of class for awhile becasue they're stressed by something at school or at home. You give out lots of bandaids and TLC, be proactive for your school community, and teach classe on everything from handwashing to growth and development. If you really want to be part of the school community , you attend PTA meetings, and staff meetings, and attend school programs. You screen for vision and hearing, keep track of immunizations and other health issues, sit in on staffings when students are having problems, and share anything that might be affecting their academics. There are numerous opportunities to teach- they may not present as a distinct class, but public health is ongoing. I teach the kids, parents and teachers on a daily basis. And when and if you have a slow period, you can catch up on your paperwork. During the summer, there's summerschool nursing, camp nursing, agency or per diem work, or if your lucky you can just be off! I just had a little girl come in with her earring stud stuck down in the pierced hole too far-pushed it out.See what I mean! No two days arew ever alike, I could tell you some stories. But in all it's great fun and makes you feel worthwhile.

frann · Apr 9, 2004

I too have been thinking of being a school nurse.

If you're a high school nurse do you leave when the bell rings? or last child is on bus?

Are you just exhausted at end of day? I'm just pooped. I've been working in hospital for over 13 years. I work prn now, mainly 2 or 3 days week, not weekends or holidays. I'm a rn with associates degree. If I went back to school I wouldn't have much to complete my BSN.

Whats your typical day like? Do your feet hurt? I cant see myself doing this much longer.

bergren · Apr 9, 2004

How difficult and how tiring school nursing is depends on the state you are working in, and the ratios of nurse to student. They can range as much as 250 :1 to 10000:1. It is also not the piece of cake job that many acute nurses think it is - I had two venitlated children in my last position, not to mention the other medically fragile kids under my care. I am teaching school nursing now, but as a school nurse, there were days I left exhausted, but not as frequently as when I was working on the floor with a 5 toddler patient care assignment. One aspect that differs greatly from acute care is your day does not end when the kids leave - there are reports and emergency plans, new procedures - lots of paperwork. It is a one-peson show and you do it all. However, it is an incredibly autonomous role and working with the kids, parents and teachers is the best. There is a great article on School Nurse Perspectives website for nurses thinking of making the switch: http://www.homestead.com/snp/ExploringSN.html

Consider asking a school nurse in your area if you can volunteer, help with screening activities or even shadow for a day or two.

I too have been thinking of being a school nurse.
If you're a high school nurse do you leave when the bell rings? or last child is on bus?
Are you just exhausted at end of day? I'm just pooped. I've been working in hospital for over 13 years. I work prn now, mainly 2 or 3 days week, not weekends or holidays. I'm a rn with associates degree. If I went back to school I wouldn't have much to complete my BSN.
Whats your typical day like? Do your feet hurt? I cant see myself doing this much longer.

anonny27 · Apr 9, 2004

wouldn't want to offend anyone

SchoolNurseLisa · Apr 23, 2004

This is my first year as a school nurse. I thought I would hate it. When I was in nursing school and did my clinical days in a school I vowed I would NEVER be a school nurse. I only took this job because my daughter started school and I didn't want to put her in day care. Well I am happy to say that I LOVE it. 95% of my kids are great. I am in a elementry school with 700 kids and 20 LD/MR pre-schoolers. The kids have so much personallity. It is a great change from gumpy old men, who yell at me for their coffee being to cold or their remote doesn't work. I am very busy during the day and am always drownding in paperwork. I see about 100 kids each day for everything from boo boos to seizures and broken arms. 2 days are never the same.

Hello everyone. I am thinking of applying for a school nurse job. I am not sure what to expect with a school nurse job. I have been reading some of the posts but wondered if you would tell me about your days. I was wondering what you do for pay during the summer and what kind of pay to expect anyhow. Are school benefits good? I have a great background in Nursing and hope to get an interview, but I want to know what I would be in for. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks, Tara

Nur_1996 · Apr 29, 2004

This is also my first year school nursing and I really enjoy it. I have been doing camp nursing the last couple of years, that kind of got me prepared for this job. I also had a lot of Peds hospital experience. I have three different elementry schools that I rotate in. We are employed by the local hospital, to work in the schools, so its kind of different then some school nurses. I get my paycheck from the hospital, and my benefits. The hard part about is is that I do not get paid for all the days the school takes off, teacher days, MLK day spring break.So sometimes its hard, also because my husband in a sub for the schools and also dos'ent get paid on these days. I do like my schedule, and really don't ever want to go back to hospital nursing. Marie