What's your exp like?

mustlovepoodles, RN · Dec 2, 2010

hey,
i am currently taking me pre-req's to become a rn.i was researching nursing specialties and school nursing really got my attention. i am a very family oriented person so i don't want my career to get in the way of my family. it seems like school nursing would be perfect for me! please give me your feedback on the following questions:
-are you a rn or lpn?
rn, 34 yrs
-how long did it take to find a job as a school nurse?
3 days
-what education is needed to become a school nurse?
i have an adn and a bs in elementary education
-do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse?
yes. in my case, it was my extensive peds experience(25 years) that did the trick
-how satisfied are you at work?
very
-how much are you making?
haha. $19.50. the hours are great but the pay sucks. i don't even get benefits. but i can work 3 days a week, have 4 day weekends, no call, no shifts, and all summers and holidays off.
i love being a school nurse. i work with a very challenged population--minority, low income, transient. at least 1/2 of my students speak english as a second language. many of them live in areas with gang activity. too many of them experience hunger, parents with substance abuse, and domestic violence on a daily basis. i know that i'm making a difference in their lives. school is their safe haven and i am , for many kids, their only healthcare advocate. some of my kids haven't seen a doctor since they were 2 and many, many have never seen a dentist.
i have to tell you that i could not have done this job fresh out of school. i know we have a few on this site that did graduate and go straight to school nursing. but i didn't have the confidence nor the peds experience to really do a great job. my peds experience started in mother-baby, actually. from there i went to nicu &picu for about 12 years. then triage and then school nursing. i use all my previous experience in my job. most days are predictable for me, but you all it takes is one kid to fall and break a bone, or have an asthma attack, or anaphylaxis. i've had students go into labor(yeah, at 14--and it ws her 2nd baby), dislocate a shoulder during fight, knock teeth out, have prolonged seizures, and vomit blood. i've had adults suffering serious heart arrhythmias, difficulty breathing, and lacerations. you really have to be ready to for anything, with no back up and no supplies other than ice packs and bandaids. at this point in my career, my diagnostic skills are excellent. i have the self-confidence (and tact) to deal with difficult staff and parents.
best of luck to you, whatever you end up doing.

:nurse: ....

Flare, ASN, BSN · Dec 2, 2010

like the mustlovepoodles, i'll answer you in your quote

hey,
i am currently taking me pre-req's to become a rn.i was researching nursing specialties and school nursing really got my attention. i am a very family oriented person so i don't want my career to get in the way of my family. it seems like school nursing would be perfect for me! please give me your feedback on the following questions:
-are you a rn or lpn?
rn, 11 years experience
-how long did it take to find a job as a school nurse?
in my case my fist sn job found me.. i had been a nurse for 3 years
-what education is needed to become a school nurse?
i have an aas, a bsn and went for classes to be a certified school nurse in my state. would like to get a msn too
-do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse?
yes - the most basic thing i can tell you uis that it is your office and you are typically alone, making all decisions by yourself. a strong background in vital. excellent assessmennt skills are vital and a good dose of self confidence will take youy very far...
-how satisfied are you at work?
it is a good job. can be very rewarding to know that you are making an impact on a child. there are moments that you can tell you really got through. there are also moments that can be very frustrating. overall, very satisfying, especially if you are comfortable working alone.
-how much are you making?
about 50k/yr

Humanatarian123 · Dec 17, 2010

Thank you so much for your replies. I really do appreciate it!

schoolnurse09 · Jan 4, 2011

-Are you a RN or LPN? RN (BSN)

-How long did it take to find a job as a school nurse? a friend told me of the vacant position,so I didn't really look at all

-What education is needed to become a school nurse? IMO=BSN would be most useful

-Do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse? I think so

-How satisfied are you at work? Not very.. it's not for everyone.

-How much are you making?37K on a teacher's contract.

luvapug · Jan 4, 2011

Are you a RN or LPN?

RN

-How long did it take to find a job as a school nurse?

It found me-a friend of my mom's told me there were hiring when she saw us out in the mall one day and that I should apply because I'd like it

-What education is needed to become a school nurse?

A BSN in our state

-Do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse?

Not necessarily but every bit prior helps tremendously. That being said I started school nursing after working for a year and a half in the hospital.

-How satisfied are you at work?

I used to miss the excitement and fast pace of the hospital as well as working with all the other nurse but now that I'm older I love it-it's perfect for me.

-How much are you making?

We make the same pay rate as the teachers do. Right now I'm only part-time (my choice due to raising my own kids) and make $20/hr-no benefits.

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2011

are you a rn or lpn? i'm an lpn...apparently the minority :-) 6 1/2 years

-how long did it take to find a job as a school nurse? it kinda found me!

-what education is needed to become a school nurse? i graduated from a 12 month lpn program 6 1/2 years ago, i have background in doctor's offices and home health and working for the district before and after school program.

-do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse? as far as i know, many places don't hire lpns as school nurses...i got lucky. i don't know about experience...i've heard that working in the hospital should be required, but i've never done one paid shift in a hospital and i got the job over 14 other applicants.

-how satisfied are you at work? extremely.

-how much are you making? here's the kicker...my pay stinks. with my 6 years of experience, my pay this year will be roughly $23,000. shocked? yeah...so is everyone else i tell that to.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Jan 4, 2011

here's the kicker...my pay stinks. with my 6 years of experience, my pay this year will be roughly $23,000. shocked? yeah...so is everyone else i tell that to.

not shocked. my pay is lower than yours. and i *still* would rather be a school nurse! :nurse:

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

Not shocked. My pay is lower than yours. And i *still* would rather be a school nurse!

SO glad I'm not alone!! Everyone acts like I should be offended at how much I make...well, I love my job so I will take my scrawny paycheck and be a happy camper!! :)

Neveranurseagain, RN · Jan 7, 2011

-are you a rn or lpn? i'm an rn

-how long did it take to find a job as a school nurse? 1week

-what education is needed to become a school nurse? i have an asn

-do most schools require a certain amount of nursing exp prior to entering as a school nurse? yes, they wanted lots!

-how satisfied are you at work? i love it!

-how much are you making? with 27 years nursing experience, i make $23,000 a year, plus benefits. i work 6 1/2 hrs a day and they pay 100% of my health insurance, and match my retirement.