School Nursing for the Novice: How Do I Begin?

Obtaining a position as a school nurse is an exciting career opportunity, but the reality of a new position in a new specialty area can quickly lead to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Your first thoughts might be "Can I really do this job?" and "Where and how do I begin?" The answer to these questions will depend on your situation-are you a nurse hired for a previously established school nurse position or are you the first nurse at your school, charged with initiating a school health program? The purpose of this article is to offer guidance for the novice school nurse in establishing a school health program and school nurse office, as well as to encourage and provide direction for the development of your school nursing practice.

Public and Nonpublic School Nurses: Common Practice, Common Goals.

Most of the members of the National Association of School Nurses have an intimate knowledge of the daily services provided by public school nurses and the challenges they face. But some may not be aware that approximately 15% of the NASN membership works in private, independent, or parochial schools. Just how different from the majority of our nurses' daily work are the experiences of the nurses who are working in the nonpublic schools? The answer may surprise you.