Why be a school nurse?

[natrgrrl]

I will be starting NS in a few weeks so I am looking into all the different types of nursing. Why would a person want to be a school nurse?

Maybe my perceptions are wrong but school nurses seem undervalued. They do tons of paperwork and deal with fakers and pukers and bug infested kids. What am I missing that draws nurses onto this path?

I'd really like to hear from anyone with an opinion.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The work hours of the typical school nurse are stable and coincide with raising a family. Numerous nurses with young children gravitate toward jobs that have 'good' hours, and a school nursing position with hours of Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm would seem like a good deal. You'd have evenings off to spend with the family, and you could easily get the children to school or a babysitter before reporting to work in the morning...

[bergren]

The independence and autonomy

The public health and health promotion perspective - keeping kids and staff healthy as opposed to just treating illness.

Being part of an interdisciplinary team.

The satisfaction derived from supporting families and kids with special needs. It is impossible to feel sorry for yourself when you see the degree of burden and sacrifice some of these families endure 24 /7. It is humbling.

Being a caring and available adult for children who need one.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

After working many years in the hospital, I have found that school nursing is an area where I can really "make a difference" We follow the kids and their families long term, know what they are going through, help them find resources when they are in financial need, help them when they are having anxiety attacks when their parents are going through a divorce, counsel them through the loss of a loved one, we are a listening ear when mom or dad is in Iraq and they don't know when they will be back, we get to watch the new, angry diabetic become competent to the point where they are teaching us things. We are community health nurses who catch little problems before they become big problems and help those with the big problems cope with them.

We are undervalued, unappreciated, underpaid, and overworked. Just like nurses in all fields!!! IMHO we also have the best job in the world!

[zenman]

I get to work with my wife...we walk the two blocks to work. Plus I really like the schedule. But the best part is that you can drop kick a little kid all way across a room:lol2: