5 Common School Nurse Interview Questions & Answers

You have a variety of experiences in nursing, a perfect resume and an amazing cover letter. The one thing that is between you and a job offer, though, is the final interview. Most people know that interviews are what get you hired for great jobs. You can perform at an amazing level during your interview if you take time to practice and prepare. Most importantly, you should know what the frequent school nurse interview questions are and how to answer them.

Beyond specific nursing questions, be prepared for general interview questions that may be asked as well. The hiring manager may ask about your specific career goals, what you know about the company, what your strengths and weaknesses are and where you see yourself in five years. Don't disqualify yourself by answering poorly. Learn about how to answer these common questions, so you can find yourself with a new job.

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5 School Nurse Interview Questions & Answers

1. Providing health care to students is an unpredictable job. Describe what you think a typical school nurse's day is like.

My daily duties as a school nurse may start with a review of health information regarding current student injuries or illnesses and then getting the nurse's office ready for the day. Next, students who come in for routine morning medicine would be treated. During lunches, I may have to administer more medication to students or assist diabetic students. Throughout the day, I would be providing service to various student ailments, such as fevers, aches and pains, minor injuries or stomach upset. If a student is displaying certain symptoms, it may be necessary to call home.

2. In many cases, you may be dealing with students who have special needs. What is your background with these students?

Throughout my career in pediatrics, I have had to interact with a variety of children. In many cases, there have been patients with special needs. I treat all patients in a similar fashion, no matter what the diagnosis or disability. I aim to make a child comfortable and calm during treatment.

3. There are many different situations that require emergency medical assistance. What would you do in the case of a severely allergic student who was exposed to an allergen?

I would first check the student's health plan. Then, I would evaluate the reaction to the allergen. If there are no symptoms, I would observe the student and follow the procedures dictated on the plan. If a reaction started developing, I would follow the plan's directions, and if needed, I would administer an EpiPen. Then, I would have another staff member call 911 for immediate hospital transport. If a student with no known medical allergies suddenly develops a severe allergic reaction, I would immediately call for ambulatory assistance. Throughout these scenarios, I would additionally have another staff member making sure the parents were contacted.

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4. Beyond medical situations, there may also be times when you get access to other information. What would you do if you suspected a child was being abused?

I know that by law medical and school staff are required to report any instances where abuse is suspected. There have been times when I have observed mysterious bruising or injuries on a consistent basis on a child. Before the end of the business day, it's always been my duty to make a phone call to Child Protective Services when I have encountered situations like those. If a student tells me something that indicates abuse at home, even if it's a joke, it's my duty to report it to the proper authorities and have it investigated thoroughly if needed.

5. There are certain terms that school nurses need to know. What do you know about HIPAA, IDEA or FERPA?

HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act, and it is related to the privacy that patients are required to have. IDEA is the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, which is a law that was passed to ensure all students get the education they are entitled to. FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and it entitles families to a certain level of privacy in regards to their child's educational records.

Once you are able to prove yourself with knowledgeable answers to typical school nurse interview questions, you can feel confident in your effort. Then, you can get hired for the nursing job that fits your career best.

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