Do you ever miss the hospital?

[NurseEllie13]

Every now and then I start to miss it ... the acuity, being surrounded by incredible nurses all the time, the bonds coworkers form after mutually surviving the worst 12 hours of our lives, that look a patient has as they thank you for everything you've done today that reminds you why you ever went into nursing in the first place, and yes, even (some of) the physicians.

Then my SO is quick to remind me how much I cried after my shifts, and sometimes even before and during.

And I think about how I've been yelled at only once since I started school nursing this year (and "yelled at" is probably an overstatement---more like very very strongly disagreed with.) How my principal is so awesome and doesn't micromanage me like nurse managers tend to do. How I never have to say no to a weekend/holiday get together. How I can say "Yes, I am available every Thursday night at 7 to do xyz." How I can go out for dinner with friends on a "work night" and still get a reasonable amount of sleep. The excitement from a student who finally gets to go outside for recess because I've worked with him and his parents to get his asthma under control. All the waves, grins, and "Hi, nurse!" as I walk down a hallway.

I suspect I'll always miss some things about the hospital. But I know for a fact if I ever go back for some reason, I will miss MANY things about school nursing.

[SchoolNurseTXstyle]

No. Do not miss it at all! I would change careers before going back to that.

[Massmagic]

I am on my 4th year as a school nurse. I loved my job - the first year. The last 2 years I battled with administration as they did illegal things that involved the nursing department. The administrators did and still do not feel that school nurses are important as we do not teach the students. That is all they can think about is scoring "high" on the state tests so they will "look" good. This attitude toward school nurses was the foundation of their mistreatment. We actually had to file formal complaints with the Department of Ed. This year, I have 2 more grades as they closed a school and packed in 200 more students into my building (3rd - 6th). I have twice the student population and I go home crying almost every day - I am so busy - I go in early and stay late to get things done. I went and spent a lot of money and time on a BSN as Massachusetts requires this for school nurses. I was fine with it and took me 2.5 years to complete - it was rough and I am sure most of you have experienced online classes. Well, this year the superintendent just tore the heart right out of me for various "unfair" reasons. I found myself dreading to go to work (this is a new feeling for me). I know that sometimes other jobs can look greener on the other side, but I am willing to try it. I think school nursing is a great job - I love the kids and how they all run into my office and tell me their little tales, how they say "hi nurse" when I walk down the hall, and run up and hug me when I walk into the cafe (even though their greasy hand prints remain on my clothes). They are precious and the job is such a rewarding one. I never thought of leaving but now am. Administration can make or break a job, just like in some hospitals. If your school administration is good - be thankful.

[AdobeRN]

I am one of the crazy nurses that enjoyed working a Pedi Med/surg floor. I miss the excitement of seeing something/treating something new, I miss having different patients for the most part on a daily basis & I miss some of my coworkers. As a school nurse - there are days (thankfully few) I feel like all I do is pass out bandaids and ice packs, I will admit I get bored at times; but on the otherhand I love my job as a school nurse and would not change it.

I do not miss having to fight for a weekend off, holiday schedules, attending "mandatory" meetings or completing yearly competency trainings etc - the usual crazy administration stuff that hospitals come up with for us to do.