Backup Plan?

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Seems like school budgets are tight everywhere across the nation, and some districts have decided nursing is one place to cut costs. I am so fortunate that my district seems to value nurses and seems committed to keeping us on board, but they are talking about mandating ratios to where a school with less than 500 students will not have a full time nurse (my school is just over 500...whew!) I do know a lot of school nurses who are worried about the future of our jobs, and the thought is never far from my mind as well. My goal is to be able to retire in another 20-30 years from this school in this district. I hope that opportunity is not taken away because of the budget crisis.

So, if the worst happens and you are told your services are no longer needed...do you have a backup plan? What area of nursing would you try to get into? I don't have a ton of prior hospital experience, and I've been doing this for several years, so I think I would have trouble switching specialties. If worse came to worse, I would apply for pedi office jobs and public health jobs and pray for the best. I am planning on going for my Master's in Nursing Education to hopefully open some more opportunities if it comes to that. What would you do?

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

I would be heartbroken, to be honest with you. This is my dream job and I love it here. BUT, if that were to happen, I would probably look at going back to a doctor's office job or home health. Something along those lines.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I started working as a per diem ADN in a local hospital last august. I suppose i'd do that for a while - while trying to get a position in an OR - the idea of being an RN first assistant is really interesting to me so I would work up to that. That is, of course, if I couldn't get any work as a school nurse.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

I would be heartbroken, to be honest with you. This is my dream job and I love it here.

Me too! It's my worst nightmare. Honestly, I'd be tempted to rearrange the family budget and become a SAHM!

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I don't have much of a backup plan, but I know what I don't want. I NEVER want to go back to floor nursing. I shudder at the thought. All those night shifts working on my feet in a fast-paced NICU took it's toll on me both physically and mentally. They left me with permanent damage to both feet, weight gain, and a healthy dose of anxiety and depression. I don't believe I will ever be able to work full-time again.

If I lost my job, I might look into home care or perhaps work as a parapro in a special needs class. Or I would get a job at Publix or a pet store. Or ideally I would move out to Yellowstone National Park with my husband and our camper and work in one of their little stores.

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

The district I work in is keeping all the current nurses that are choosing to stay and hiring four new ones (two nurses leaving and two new schools opening).

I completely agree with not wanting to go back to the floor...I honestly don't think I could handle it.

[Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN]

Supposedly RIF notices are coming out tomorrow. I have been here 6 years so feel I am far enough on the seniority list that I will be ok as far as that goes. But our state is still working on the budget. Thank God for unions :)

If I had to find another job - I'm with mustlovepoodles. I would look at one of the local vet clinics (worked at an emergency vet clinic while going through nursing school) or pet store. Might look farther into opening a day care for medically fragile children. I also have alpacas, so might try to do something farm related like shearing or fiber arts. Not sure how much money would be in it, but people "know" me so probably would be ok.

[bergren]

I have popped back and forth between school nurse jobs and acute pediatrics several times due to cross country relocations. Each time I had anxiety, and it was always easier than I thought it would be. It comes right back to you.