[Vong]

I am a new LPN student, with plans on getting my RN/BSN right afterwards. There is a 4 year BSN program, but if I can do my LPN in a year, and the LPN-BSN in 2, well 3 years is better than 4!

Anyways, my main goal for the future is to be a school nurse, probably a elementary/grade school nurse. I am only 20 years old, and have worked in a daycare in an elementary school for the past 2 years and love working with that age group.

I was just wondering if anyone here had any advice, or could tell me a bit more about the requirements for a school nurse. I would like to work at a hospital or possibly a clinic setting for a few years, around 5. Then once I had a family, then be a school nurse.

So any advice, suggestions, or any comments would be welcome!

In particular Id love to hear school nurses talk about their life experiences, and schooling requirements, job differences, hours and pay differences...pretty much anything a school nurse could advice me in would be great!

[nursinghumor]

Hello Yong,

These are a few resources that will get you started in the right direction. Most associations have student memberships you might be interested in.

More like this, http://www.nursefriendly.com/school

School Nursing, Beyond Sniffles and Bandages, by Linda Handschumacher, RN, E-TNS, MPA, MedAdm:"When someone says, "I'm a school nurse," what does that conjure up in your mind? A Band-Aid pusher a few steps from retirement, a doting caregiver that may or may not be a "real nurse"? As an emergency trauma nurse specialist (E-TNS) with 12 years experience, this was my spin on school nursing until I entered the field. Let me tell you, it is certainly none of the above. My first major trauma, after but 4 weeks on the job, was to be called down to the boys PE field. A student fell off the bars; he was slightly disoriented and could not recall the events pre or post incident. A closed head injury always accompanies C-spine precautions. This includes immobilization with a cervical collar and backboard, and a need for paramedics to transport to a hospital to rule out any spinal or skull fractures and the probability of an MRI to rule out any internal head injuries."
Working Nurse, Working World Magazine
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1526 Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel213)385-4781, Fax213)385-3782, WorkingNurse@WorkingWorld.com
http://www.workingworld.com/magazine...o=264&wn=1
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Listserv Discussion Groups:

SCHLRN-L -- The School Nurse Discussion List:"The School Nurse Disucssion List was started in 1994 and is the third oldest nursing discussion list on the Internet. At present there are 1800 + subscribers from 16 countries on 6 continents. The list is public and unmoderated. Description: A discussion group organized for school nurses, school nurse practitioners, school nurse teachers, and school nurse managers.
http://www.usinternet.com/users/bergren/schlrn.htm

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AAP Outlines Crucial Role Of School Nurses In A Comprehensive School Health Program, American Academy of Pediatrics:"School nurses often serve in a crucial pediatric health leadership role, bringing together a variety of services to students and families, according to a revised policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Typically, the school nurse collaborates with primary care physicians, specialists, and local public health and social service agencies to ensure a full spectrum of effective and quality services for students and their families. School nurses are especially critical in assisting children with special health needs, including children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. School nurses can ensure student access to primary health care, monitor immunization, and provide health education and counseling."
National Headquarters: The American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098 USA
847/434-4000 847/434-8000 (Fax)
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/novnurses.htm

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schoolnurse.com:"This web site represents the online presence of School Health Alert - the United States' most respected publisher of current school health information.... School Health Alert is an independent, printed newsletter, with thousands of subscribers. Published monthly since 1986, it keeps school nurses and other interested health professionals up-to-date on the latest developments in student health services, health education and safe school environment. School Health Alert does not accept advertising."
School Health Alert Newsletter
PO Box 150127 Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 370-7899, fax: (615) 370-9993
Customer Service: cs@schoolnurse.com
http://www.schoolnurse.com/

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Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[Vong]

Thanks! Looks like a bunch of information to see.

[behawkins5]

The requirements to be a school nurse will very state to state. I have an associates degree and practice as a school nurse in Florida. However, our county, unlike what we all grew up with, has a nurse for only one day, or half day. We are all assigned a minimum of 5 schools, some of us have as many as 7. Our focus is the kids with chronic diseases, followed by immunizations, Student and staff education, followed by counseling of pregnant and parenting teens, and lastly sick call...sick call is supposed to not be a priority since we are only there 1 day a week. Instead, we are to educate the staff (read secretary or CRT operator) to run sick call. However, in my schools, on the day that I am there, I have open sick call and see all of the kids. I enjoy it...but you really have to be organized, be a self-starter, operate autonomously, know when a kid is sick REALLY REALLY SICK-and when they aren't and a bandaid or ice will do...and balance all of this with budget cuts, parents who don't care, and kids who just need some TLC.

I love my job.
Erica