To Get My Cert or Not, that is the question

[Stitchy's mom]

Okay, so I handed in my resignation, and my last day is just before Christmas. Now I have to figure out if I'm going to get my cert. I need to take 1 class before I start the program. Part of me wants to, but part of me is saying I have to worry about my kids and while having a little extra money was nice, is it worth it? The SGO's, meetings that last forever, that have little or nothing to do with the health office, not being able to have lunches (my choice, I can't just shut the door on the kiddies), and the rest, do I want to do this? Is it worth it? It this just a "wacky school" or are all schools like this? I don't mind this kiddies so much, not even the parents, but administration... The reason I took the position in the first place was because they had a need and I had the skill. I wasn't looking for a job. I liked being a mommy and was lucky enough to be able to live on my hubby's salary. Like I said, I liked being the school nurse. I liked the kiddies and even some parents. Thoughts?

[Stitchy's mom]

Oh, I forgot, are there many jobs out there for school nurses? I don't want to go through getting my cert only to find I can't get a position. Where would I look?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I am not sure where you were working, but from threads in the past I've gleaned together a non union school (ie private school ) some where in NJ from what I gather. To me, it sounds like you worked for a really wacky school with terrible administration. I mean who keeps their employees after work for an indeterminate amount on time for meetings that last hours as you have mentioned in prior posts? There is something wrong here.

As far as lunch goes - you are entitled to take a short break to eat. Hang a sign on the door. The tummy aches and sore throats can wait 20 minutes for you to eat a sandwich (amazingly enough most of the time they're forgotten about in those 20 minutes anyhow!). The true emergencies can go to the office, office staff can get a hold of you - i'm sure that just like the rest of us you're willing to drop the tuna sandwich to see a kid having an asthma attack.

I think it's worth it to get your cert if school nursing is something you're interested in. Not all districts are like this. Especially public schools that have to conform to union regulations and can't hold you after school for meaningless meetings. This doesn't mean you'll be off the hook for things like SGOs and having to attend these meetings, but for the most part things will be more tailored to make more sense for your job. Especially true of larger districts where there is a larger team of nurses. I had the priveldge of working with such a groupfor quite a few years until i left. Thankfully, I am still part of their professional fold.

As far as getting jobs - I would say that I see nursing jobs open up around the state with some regularity - probably on par with any other school specialty in reality (8th grade science teacher, High school Art... etc) . Already having some experience is a plus. Your best bet is to begin by getting your name out there by subbing in districts you may want to be employed in (they're almost always looking for sub nurses). You don't have to be full certified to sub, and it cant often lead you to knowing when an opening is coming and districts often feel more comfortable hiring subs they know and trust to perm jobs. If subbing isn't for you, I seem to remember the program I took at caldwell having open position listings from time to time.