Thinking about school nursing..

michigooseBSN · Jun 11, 2008

When I began subbing as a school nurse many years ago my formal nursing experience also was med-surg but like you I was an experienced mother. Eight years ago I began working full time as an elementary school nurse in a K-5 school of 450 kids. The difference between subbing and working full time is so much more than the hours and pay involved. Subbing, which is a great way to "test the waters" involves mostly first aid and triage of sick children. Full-time work also involves working as a team member, committee work, writing individual health care plans, health teaching, being involved with families and community health care providers etc. But I did find when I first began that my experience as a parent (my gut feeling or instinct) was one of my most valuable tools. And in my community the pay is great (we're in the teacher's union and pay scale) and the hours wonderful. So don't be scared to try. I'll bet you'll think you've died and gone to Heaven.

guest83140 · Jun 12, 2008

Hi, I've been a school nurse for 3 years now and only had 18 yrs med-surg exp. Basically to me I had to learn to be a secretary to go along with my nursing exp. Being a mother helped me to know what kids normally complain about and that some also like attention, etc. But I soon found out that if I gave too much attention that some would come back over and over. :cool: I had to learn the software on the computer to input shots and clinic visits- pretty simple after daily use. Then I had to learn to file paper- I already knew that. I had to pass an easy technology quiz that made sure I knew how to email and do simple word processing. You get certified to do simple vision and hearing tests. A typical visit in a day in a nutshell is like this-- a kid walks in with a pass, I check the name and time and complaint, I ask questions. Stomaches, sore throats, headaches, tiny cuts, I feel hot, my leg hurt, etc. I look at them, do first aid or I check temp usually. If stomachache- ask if eaten, offer BR, check temp. Sore throat- look, check temp, gargle. You'll get a protocol book that tells you what to do for basic complaints. You'll learn the common school complaints in a short time. Cold, flu, stomach virus, strep throat, headaches, and then you'll print out the unusual case finding for future reference. You can't diagnosis but try to alleviate simple symptoms while trying to see if it fits a bigger pic. Overall I give the kids 3 choices after I treat them 1. go back to class 2. parent can take them home or to doctor 3. This is a 911 call. So I tell them this isn't a 911 call because you're still standing there. Let's call mom and see what she wants to do if they refuse to go back to class. I'm dealing with 14-16 year olds. With little ones I would call the parent and let them decide after I give them the facts (complaints, my assess and what they look like). I don't diagnosis, I say, "it could be.....from what I'm seeing." Your med-surg comes in very handy! Like I said I just had to get used to the secretary part ( the diff paperwork, making phone calls, mailing reminders) - took about 2 weeks. But I learnt to organize myself and how to stop for phone calls. The hardest part to me with paperwork was learning to leave it on my desk to continue on the next day. I had to learn to walk away from trying to get rid of every piece of work. Some teachers would put paperwork in my mailbox slot at the end of the day. I would just leave it there until I signed in the next morning. But it's great not having to worry about patients after you passed them on to the other shift. Or worrying about a wet bed or somebody finding an infiltrated IV after you've gone home. At the end of school we just box up the vision chart, hearing case, sharp container ( had 4 diabetics that only had to be monitored), boxed up the 200 or 300 clinic visits, accident reports about 10. Mailed off summer shot reminders, filed about 50 pieces of medical records inside student folders for the next school, put up supplies in locked cabinets. All medications(ADD and few other pills and OTC meds already sent home and inhalers (about 25 items). Had one w/c bound that got sat on toilet daily. Special aide did their own procedures- I was a resource guide. So we did passes, maybe a student became dizzy in class that needed to be walked to the clinic, a few calls, lunch, more passes, a few calls, go file 10 papers in the school paper vault, and home I go. Every now and then I would get off track with a phone call, request or concern visit about a student. But nothing I couldn't handle. Johnny is acting strange, I think she might be preg., she's going to the BR alot or did you get my fax. Pedi is good but I always think babies when I hear Pedi because kids are so much bigger now. I think you'll be fine because I am. I had no Pedi Exp. and I've done Elementary also. Sorry for long post, I'm doing Summer School right now and I'm bored. It's for 3 weeks at $25/hr. :bow:

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2008

There was an opening for a school nurse where I live but the pay wound up to be $17/hour-that is pay I received 14 years ago as 2-year RN. More than a $10 per hour pay cut.

I didn't apply even though it would have been great to have the same time off as my children but that is a HUGE cut in pay.

$400 less per week

$1600 less per month (!)

Is this pretty common-low pay for school nurses???

gigiash · Jun 20, 2008

I recently completed a graduate program for certified school nursing. In the state I live in you must be certified to become a school nurse, so you are on a teachers contract. ( you also have to take a state board certification test along with a basic education test, for a type 73 teaching certificate). I was just hired by a school district with contract based on my education BSN plus 24 masters credit hours, that is $35,000. Now remember this is for 9 months ladies,also 8- 3 :45 monday through friday. I will have my own office, computer and by the way this is for a contractual 180 days, this is very close to $25. an hour, and by the way.. no weekends, all holidays off, summers off... great teachers retirement as well.Any way I worked in a hospital, in STL for 18 years top ten hospital in the country ,magnet nurse etc..this is the most rewarding career change I have ever made, also I come from adult medicine as well.

If your state doesn't pay well it is probably because the nurse is not considered professional staff. Also I will admit I was wanting to be payed more however, I don't have any experience as a school nurse prior to my internship and subbing. Some school districts will give you about five years credit. Which is a step 5 on the pay contract, which is about $41,000. However the district I went to does not do this, I can alway change schools once I get some experience. But once you are tenured you can't get fired etc, always a 6% pay raise every year, go back to school, more education more money yadda yadda.

The hopsital never gave me the luxury of summer off with pay...seriously if I wanted to work all summer and make more money I could just work per diem at the hospital again.....NOT!!! They could care less if I had a BSN...so what was the point in going to school all that time? School nursing thats what!!!

I suggest you take a masters level educational pysch class, teaching children with diversity class and a special education class...unless you will not be envolved in that....learn teachers speak, remember you practice in isolation, know your co workers language. Join in the teachers union if you can, get to know all of the other school nurses in your district and region, also join the National School Nurses Association NSNA. Get certified this forces the professionalism of school nurses upon a school district. Being certified = money for a school district, they can charge the state for your services!! This is why Illinois schools want their nurses certified. MONEY

Good Luck!

TXNurseBSN · Jun 25, 2008

I graduated nursing school with my BSN in May 2006 - I worked adult med-surg for only 3 months and then went right into school nursing. I have a middle school of about 1100 high needs kids. I jumped in feet first and have no regrets. Although alone at my school - I have plenty of more experienced school nurses in my district that are just a phone call away!!

Luckily, I work for a large school district that pays pretty well. When I break down my salary into the hours I actually work - it is abouy $29-$30/ hour. I made $20/ hour at the hospital and wanted to vomit before every shift.

Your years of med-surg experience puts you way ahead of me!!! You have a lot of experience in physical assessment and prioritization already. I had to learn those things (still am) as well as what the role of a school nurse is.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Jun 26, 2008

I went from med surg to school nursing. Also have 2 kids. I worked out. I did take a huge pay cut but it is worth it for a job that I can feel like I make a difference.

abrenrn · Jun 27, 2008

From your screen name and the school nursing open house you mentioned, I assume you are in NYC. Did you go to the open house? I hope so. I'm a NYC school nurse - and I like it a lot. I did have peds experience but many come without and end up loving it. As one person said, you will end up with a lot of paper work. We do not do hearing screens here (there is a vision hearing team that does).

The pay is not what you will make in a hospital but it's not as bad as some other places. Even if you did not go to the open house, there are still positions, so send in a resume. Good luck!!

bknyrn · Jun 27, 2008

From your screen name and the school nursing open house you mentioned, I assume you are in NYC. Did you go to the open house? I hope so. I'm a NYC school nurse - and I like it a lot. I did have peds experience but many come without and end up loving it. As one person said, you will end up with a lot of paper work. We do not do hearing screens here (there is a vision hearing team that does).
The pay is not what you will make in a hospital but it's not as bad as some other places. Even if you did not go to the open house, there are still positions, so send in a resume. Good luck!!

Yes I am in NYC. I wasnt able to make the open house but I did send in my resume. Do you work in elementary or junior high and are you the only nurse in your school? I'm just a little nervous because I have not had any experience as school nurse.

abrenrn · Jun 27, 2008

In NYC there is usually one nurse per school. Depending on circumstances, may have a non-nurse to help out. Also, some schools (with high numbers of kids requiring special services) may have 2 nurses.

I was in elementary but now am a supervisor. I was the only one in a large school - paper work often overwhelming - but it was enjoyable.

Good luck!

msqtsmith · Aug 1, 2008

I have a question I was offered job at head start program as nurse do you get paid during summers is the pay given during the 9 mths you work

Otessa, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2008

This is something you would need to ask the place where you were presented the offer.