[MelissaJaneRN]

I started in April as a new school nurse coming from L&D and Mother/Baby.. So I did two months, had the summer off, and just started back in August. I am having a hard time of it. I really miss the other nurses and I feel no one in the school has any respect for what I do.
One thing I wanted to do this year was institute nurse passes- students must bring in passes that I designed when they come in. I know its only 2 weeks into the year, but no one is doing them despite constant reminding. I am going to start sending kids back to class to get the passes.
In the spring, I was amazed how many parents called the school complaining because I didnt call them to say their precious baby had a skinned knee. I call only if its an injury or illness they need to watch out for, not a simple abrasion to the knee that only needed one little bandaid. I find that incredibly frustrating. Are we expected to call 50-60 parents a day?? This is part of the reason I instituted the nurse passes, so they can go home at the end of the day and parents can have that communication from me. And its already starting this year, a parent called because I didnt tell them their daughter had a scratch under her eye, She didnt even come to me for that (scratch on elbow) and I looked in her eyes, they were fine. I guess I need a thicker skin.
The hours are wonderful, my daughter just started kindergarten there so we drive to school in the morning together, and come home in the afternoon- have holidays and weekends off... I cant see going back to the hospital now because I couldnt see dropping her off at school (daycare) at 630am...
I guess I am just feeling alone.. no one else in the school knows what we do and I dont think they really care. I felt much more important and respected as an L&D RN. Any advice?

[luvschoolnursing]

School nursing is a whole different animal than hospital nursing. You are no longer thought of like you were in the hospital. You are now a tiny little part of the education system, sometimes a necessary evil!! That's the bad news. The good news is after some getting used to it, you will find that the job is so very rewarding. You truly make a difference in kids lives. You get to follow them and their families long term and help them through all sorts of things. You need to constantly educate the teachers and administrators about how valuable you really are and that you are a team player and making it your goal to keep kids healthy and in school.

One of the best things you can do is join your state school nursing organization and network with other school nurses in your area. You can whine and complain and get ideas and suggestions from them. It takes a couple years to reprogram yourself to working in an educational setting instead of the hospital. As my name says, I love what I do and have never looked back! Good luck!!!

[firefightingRN]

it's a definite culture shock coming from a place where you work as a team all day long with other nursrs to going to a place where you can feel isolated, neglected, or dumped on. And while it's not for everyone, if you can learn how to even the playing field a bit then you will have it easier. As long as your principal (or whomever you have to answer to) is for for the passes then push them. No pass send them back to class. A blanket letter to parents (maybe in your annual health packet) explaining that you only call home for illnesses or injuries that need closer monitoring may cut down on your phone calls from parents. Also, try to network with other nurses in your district or in close by districts. As previously said, joining a school nurses' association is helpful in that.
Good luck - i hope your adjustment goes well. We're here if you need us.

[MelissaJaneRN]

Thanks guys =) The other nurses in my district are great. I knew them all because I subbed all last year and thats how I landed this job in April. I also subbed in 2 other districts to network, learn if I really liked it, and just generally learn some things about school nursing you dont learn besides through experience. I am a member of NASN and therefore a member of my state assocation. Ive gone to a couple dinner meetings/conferences with my other district nurses.. One of you mentioned that it is becoming part of an educational team rather than a medical team- that will take getting used to. I think in next months newsletter I will write a tidbit about calls home and I will continue to push to nurse passes. Some of the teachers got better this week.. I dont want to push anyone the wrong way by sending students back to them, its nothing personal to the teachers- it is just something important to me. Sometimes Ill just get a pass from my own desk and write one for the student if they forgot, and I send two more blank ones back with the student. I fill out the pass more for the students parent than as a favor to the teacher, that is not why I do it at all. Its my way of communicating home. And if they dont make it home, well thats not my fault. In my computer documentation, I always chart "note sent home" if one is sent so I can look it up if there is a problem later with the parents.
It is just so frustrating coming from somewhere like L&D where your patients adore you, want you in their home videos theyll keep forever, take your picture, give you little GIFTS (like candy cigars, donuts) to parents just nagging on you all day because you didnt call home because their precious baby had a tiny cut on his knee. Grrr.. I am just want too sensitive.. it only happened a handful of times and I am seeing it happening to the teachers too so its just me being a big baby I think. When I was growing up, my mother never not ever called the school and complained, even if she had a reason to. Now a days, parents LOVE to call the school and complain. They enjoy turning the tables and getting to be the one who is yelling at the school, rather than vice versa. Nurses Day went by last year (school nurses day rather) and only one card came in from over 500 kids. And an announcement in the daily email to the staff. Now the state health coordinator and state school nurse association send something to everyone, but I am talking at the school level. It is emotionally tolling to be doing such a hard job and no one care. GR!!!!!!
The one and only joy I get from my job is that my daughter goes to kindergarten there.

[tencat]

Welcome to the world of education! I know nurses are not respected and deserve better, but boy, having been both a nurse and a teacher, I find that nurses receive WAY more respect than public school educational professionals do, hands down. I wouldn't go back to public education for anything, not even as a nurse. The educational system all over the US is horribly dysfunctional and is not working, and is getting worse by the year.

[luvschoolnursing]

If I ever get discouraged working in a school, I just remember what nearly 20 years of med surg were like! Just keep your focus on the kids, you'll see that you can make a big difference. That's something I never felt like I did in the hospital

[TXNurseBSN]

I so feel your pain. This is my second "first year" as a school nurse. Last school year, I started late and went on maternity leave early...so this my first complete year. I am at a middle school with 6-8 graders. Low income, primarily hispanic. I have the opposite problem of you. Parents don't complain too much. They just want EVERYTHING FREE. Free eyeglasses, free medical and dental care. You get them the glasses, next month they are broken and are asking me for another voucher.

When I look up a phone number, actually reach a parent, and they come to pick up their kid with the 102 Temp in less than 3 hours - I am shocked. I have had to threaten parents with calling CPS just to get them to come get their kid whose arm might be broken. I have had to call 911 several times for asthma attacks because the parent will not bring a rescue inhaler to the school.

And the teachers........goodness - they send you stupid stuff, second guess you, and think all you have to do is sit there and wait for them to send the kids they get tired of having in class. Yes, I sit around a lot. I am one of the first people on campus to arrive, I have no free period, I eat lunch at my desk while inputting info into the computer, and all of the teachers cars are gone when I pull out of the parking lot.

But, I feel much like you. I can put up with it because the schedule is wonderful and I hate working in the hospital.

I run my clinic the way I see fit. If some of the staff don't like me, I don't care. I am trying to focus my attention on the kids that need me. I am there for them.......not the teachers!

[SMK1]

I worked as a school health assistant (basically a CNA working under the nurse who I shared with health assistants from 3 other schools. I was responsible for following the cookbook from the nurse or deciding for myself if something warranted a phone call or note home. I had a 2 ply form that I could write a brief note on that I sent home for many things. I also would call and leave a "heads up" message for anything related to kindergarteners and first graders. Parents just tend to freak out about even small scrapes on their little ones. Other than that, you know when someone needs to know more so trust your assessment skills. Some parents you will never please. Immunization compliance and head lice always brought out the ugliness from some. I am a senior RN student now, and I attribute it directly to a wonderful school nurse that I worked with. She was able to help so many kids receive free dental emergency services and minor health care by organizing volunteer efforts from NOrthwest Medical Teams. It truly was a changing experience in my life to see all of the good that a nurse could do outside of a hospital. She was instrumental in getting dangerous playground equipment removed because of the statistics regarding injuries that arrived in her office from use of said equipment, she was able to educate the parents and staff about a child who was newly diagnosed with cancer and he was able to continue going to school in some capacity with certain safe guards in place, she was instrumental in helping kids understand how important bike helments are and safety belts in cars etc... You school nurses perform such a valuable service, even if at times you may not feel like anybody notices. I know I noticed and one day hope to be one of you.

[mbbysea]

And the teachers........goodness - they send you stupid stuff, second guess you, and think all you have to do is sit there and wait for them to send the kids they get tired of having in class. Yes, I sit around a lot. I am one of the first people on campus to arrive, I have no free period, I eat lunch at my desk while inputting info into the computer, and all of the teachers cars are gone when I pull out of the parking lot.

You and I sound very much alike! I love my job, but my principal definately favors her teachers over the nurse. She has told me not to see as many children. I guess she thinks I am knocking on classroom doors in my spare time (and my lunch period) so I can have visitors!

So, just hang in there...a very wise friend gave me good advise: "Don't let others steal your joy."

[Praiser]

I have adopted a new way of thinking from here on out. After many years of school nursing and many teachers second guessing me, I have finally thrown in the towel and I send the students home......teachers like you better when you send them home. I would say that 3/4 of the kids I see are not truly sick and I have fought this for years. My advice is that you are a medical person working in and educational setting. No one will understand what you do...they just know that their opinion should over rule anything you think. Pretty sad, yet so very true for so many of us. Just send them home. It makes life easier on everybody. And when it becomes a real problem for the parents, then the problem will be solved.

Good luck and please don't get disheartened by my response. I am just being "real".