Do you work at your kid's school?

Jolie, BSN · Mar 23, 2011

Before I accpted my school nurse job, I let my supervisor know that one of the schools I would be covering was my daughter's. (Truth in hiring, so to speak.) She grinned and said that more often than not, that was the case, and was not considered a conflict of interest or a reason not to hire a qualified candidate.

I loved the arrangement.

As for commuting with your foster children, I would consider the time and distance and how it will affect your daily lives. They will likely be changing schools when they come to you, no mater where you enroll them. I think the practical matters of how early/late their days will be, how they will be able (or not) to participate in school activities and play with friends will be of great concern. On the other hand, if you enroll them in your local district, will they need to attend before/after school care while you commute? Is that the norm for them, or would that be a new experience?

How similar are the school year calendars? If you work in a different district than they attend, will you have vacations and days off that are different?

So many considerations! Best of luck to you!

raidermom · Mar 23, 2011

I worked for 6 years with my kids in school with me. Last year due to staffing issues I was transferred to another school. I was upset at first but it has been a really good change for our family. "Mom" is happier because my work environment was getting to be very strained, I have made some very good friends at my new school and the environment is more like family. My kids like it better because I am not nearly as stressed out when I come home.

The bad thing is I have to use alot of days to be able to see my children participate in their sports where before I was right there and only occasionally had to take off to see them cheer or play ball.

With all that said, I could have requested a transfer back at the beginning of the school year, but decide I would just use my days because for us , It works better to be able to leave work and not be faced with it at home, or vice versa.

My oldest said it best last year " You seem to be calmer and happier and you would not be able to keep quiet with all the changes that were made."

It is one of those things that you have to figure what will be best for your situation. GOOD LUCK!

millhouse · Mar 24, 2011

I work at my daughters school. We don't live in the district, and the one we do live in... the schools aren't so great. It's one of the benefits to be able to choose any school in the county you want your child to attend. My daughter is in Kindergarten and I LOVE being there with her. It is about a 40 minute drive, but I don't have to be there until 8:15 so she doesn't get up until 6:40 or so and we are out the door by 7:30a. I LOVE LOVE LOVE having her there. I feel like all the staff look out for her and I am so thankful for that. When we have half days and I have to be there the full day, I just grab a tv/dvd player from the library and she will watch movies or play with some of the other staff kids. It's such a great benefit. Hope this helps!!

momnurse23 · Mar 24, 2011

I work in a different district from our home and decided it was best to take our children with me. We have a 30 minute drive one way, so not too bad but a bit longer than most of the rest of the staff. We have to leave at 7 each morning and get home around 4. 2 of my girls eat school breakfast and 1 who doesn't like school breakfast just eats in the car on the way. We wake them around 6:30 and kind of just slide their clothes on their sleepy bodies for them, have them brush teeth and a quick brush through their hair and we're out the door in 30 minutes. Just make sure to have everything lined up and ready the night before.

In theory, the ride home would be a great time to get that day's assigned reading done, but unfortunately they have inherited my tendency to get carsick. The youngest does usually catch a catnap though.

For us it is the best decision. I have all breaks at the same time as them, snow days are the same, etc. which just makes it easier. I love being there with them. At first I was a little worried they might take advantage (especially one daughter who often gets a "nervous belly") and try to come see me a lot but so far that hasn't happened. I love knowing their teachers. I love seeing them in the hall...my kindergartener peeks in the clinic and waves each day as she's walking by :redbeathe and we of course have had the day here and there where they really were sick or once one of them was stung on the playground (no allergy thank goodness) and it is wonderful to be there to take care of them when they need me.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

Thanks everyone for the input, I'm glad to know there are other families making it work, even with a bit of a commute. I think we are going to at least give it a try, especially if I end up with a placement before the end of this school year. I've been thinking about what time I really need to leave to get here on time...technically I don't have to be here until 7:30, so I could leave a little later than I do and still be ok, unless there is a bad wreck or something. So the little ones might be able to get a little more sleep (and us parents too!)

It will be an adjustment all around, but we'll work it out. Now just to get through the rest of the red tape so we can finally get our babies placed with us! Thanks everyone!

luvapug · Mar 24, 2011

Some school districts charge you tuition for out-of-district students-ours does. Also, just be aware that anytime there is a school program in the evening, sports, whatever, you will have to make that drive. Also, all their school friends will be in that school district so on weekends you may have to make the drive for playdates as well. Also, if you were to transfer schools for whatever reason you have to decide what to do with the kids and know that they will eventually grow up and move on to middle or high school so you'll have extra running that way if you still have them that long. That's really the only downsides I could see and I still think the positives outweigh the negatives so I'd say go for it.

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2011

I don't - I have thought of having my kids at one of my schools, but the "s" is the operative word :). I have 3 schools so it wouldn't work for me. Several of our teachers have their kids come to their school, and I went to the same school my parents taught at.

allnurses Guide · Mar 31, 2011

I do :up: - my son is in 3rd grade and his school is around the corner from our house.

But, I'm also the school nurse for another elementary school, two high schools, community day schools, etc.

11 campuses.

I spend mornings at my son's school - I love it. I see him at lunch and go out on the playground with him.

My main office is in the D.O., 20 miles away. So, I'm there in the afternoon.

steph

LACA, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

We live in the same town as I work in, but the school I work in is about 15 minutes south, in the rural part of town, so my daughter would technically be out of district. (My daughter is only 2, so this will be our plan in the future, given that I'm still here in 3 years when she starts school.) Instead of going to the elementary school we are zoned for, she will come with me. Our commute is only about 10 minutes longer (she rides with me to the school every morning to meet up with her babysitter as it is) and since I'm a county employee, I can send her to any school in the county without paying or anything. Almost all of the teachers here have their kids at our school, and almost all of those don't actually live in this district. There are two teachers that have their kids in the schools at the district where they live, but that's because of church friends and stuff that the kids already know. For me, I would rather my daughter be at my school, with me, but also because I love the staff here and I personally think it's a more active and close knit school than the other. After elementary school, I may possibly transfer her back to our district though. Not sure, but I have plenty of time to worry about that!