**LifesPeachy**

Lyssapee

I just got super excited when I saw another school nurse.  I'm very curious about how different things are in our states.  I know some states have it pretty bad. 

Going back for my school nurse certification was the best thing ever.  I love that the hours so family friendly, and I have so much autonomy .  My hospital hours where evil, and I hated doing on call, holidays, and what not.  

That is all.   

LifesPeachy

Oh yay for school nurses!

What state are you in? In Delaware we have to have a nurse in every building so I dont have to work between schools. I am state certified but just got my book in the mail today to get my national certification. Are you nationally certified? We also have to have a BSN (although I have my Masters) and work for 3 years before getting into a school nurse position.

LifesPeachy

Lyssapee:

I just got super excited when I saw another school nurse.  I'm very curious about how different things are in our states.  I know some states have it pretty bad. 

Going back for my school nurse certification was the best thing ever.  I love that the hours so family friendly, and I have so much autonomy .  My hospital hours where evil, and I hated doing on call, holidays, and what not.  

That is all.   

The hours are awesome- you're right! I love that in a few days I am off for 2 months- yay! I worked 12 hour nights plus on call before. Very hard on your body.

Also, my daughters name is Annabelle Jane- our DDs share the same middle name

Lyssapee

LifesPeachy:

Oh yay for school nurses!

What state are you in? In Delaware we have to have a nurse in every building so I dont have to work between schools. I am state certified but just got my book in the mail today to get my national certification. Are you nationally certified? We also have to have a BSN (although I have my Masters) and work for 3 years before getting into a school nurse position.

I'm in NJ and it sounds pretty similar.  I'm in a bulding with about 900 kids and 100 staff. BUT they are going to move some kids around hte district so we all have about 750 kids.  (We have 6 elementary schools)  I don't have my masters I'm a few credits short.  I also needed 3 years before I became certified, but was able to start the courses after my second year in the hospital.   We are also covered by the teachers union and get the same benefits and tenure which is great. 

The huge pay cut was so worth it, especially since my DH works in the same district across town.

Aw, love your DD's name.  It was on my list but in the end DH won out in the end.  But she it totally an Amanda. 

Lyssapee

Oh and I'm not nationally certified, but I might do it soon.  Up until Amanda was born I was working at the hospital on the weekends, so I really didn't have time.  But it something I would really like to do.

LifesPeachy

I think NJ and DE are two of the best states to work in for school nurses. I think the NJ standards are tougher than Delaware, your certification process is more intense from what I hear. I want to say its the most intense certification for school nurses out of all the states. I could be wrong but I remember hearing that.

I am excited to take the National certification exam, but I am not signed up. I just got the study guide to start studying when I could. We get a 5% pay raise which is my main motivation at the point!!

What are the other nurses in your district like? We all get together on inservice days and they are a great group of nurses. Even though I am on my own in my building, I know they are only a phone call away. Our district pays for us to go to all the Delaware School Nurse Associations conferences- we have 3/year.

What kind of nursing did you do before working in a school? How long have you known you wanted to work in a school? I did LDRP for 3 years and Med/surg for a year and a half right out of nursing school. I fell in love with my school nurse from kindergarten and wanted to be just like her! :P I still run into her at conferences (shes retired) but always comes and gives me a great big hug.