Want to become school nurse...help?

[Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN]

I'm a 40 year old "new" nurse. I've been working for 1.5 years in tele and cardiopulmonary step-down critical care, driving an hour to work each way and not liking that at all. I've learned tons, but I really want to bring down the heavy stress level of having patients who are circling the drain and work with teens in highschool as a school nurse in our small, rural community environment. I have an ADN from a great college in Cincinnati, but I don't have any idea where to start to be qualified to apply for a school nurse position. I know I'll need to get my Indiana license, where I live (since my current license is in Ohio where I'm working), but that's all I know.

Should I get further education before I apply for jobs? What certifications are required in Indiana? I imagine, being from a fairly small area of the world, this isn't going to be the easiest job to get. There are several high schools around, but I don't know if there will be any vacancies in the school nursing department.

So I need some advice on how to proceed. Any Hoosiers out there? Any advice is appreciated.

HoosierNurse

[jagalu100305]

Some districts require a bachelor's degree others do not--you will need to find that out first. If they don't require bachelors egrees you should SUB SUB SUB for the school nurses in the district you want to work. It is how I got my job and I know many others who have as well. Also it shows some initiative if you go ahead and get certified in vision/hearing screening. Of course you have to wait for an opening and depending on your district that could be a while!! Good luck!!