Should I join a teachers's union?

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I'm allowed as a staff member and covered like they are. I can also get a million dollars in . They aren't cheap and our state one is almost $400 a year. I don't know whether to just stick with nurse liability insurance, take this in place of that, or have both? Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

It is still close to $100

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If I could join the teacher's union I would.

$109 for me as well.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

In my district the School Nurses are part of the Support Staff Association. It is about $450 a year. We are told that membership is optional but it really is not. If you do not join you automatically become a "fair-share" member, which is only about $35 less than being a full member.

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As I mentioned in the older parts of this thread, a previous nurse changed the requirement about joining the union years before I was hired. And I appreciate it.

Honestly, I have my own through NSO (yep, $109/year). There are no other benefits for me and the meetings are all geared towards educational issues, not anything to do with medical issues.

I get to hear enough of the issues being discussed in the teacher's break room . . . . and while I sympathize, I do not need to pay someone else to look out for me. Especially since they do not understand my role.

One of the frustrations about being the only medical person in a sea of educational employees . . . . they do not understand my job. I end up having to educate the teachers/principals too.

No thanks.

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Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

Our school RNs have their own bargaining unit in the teachers unions with their own district governor and faculty rep. I wouldn't ever work without a union or in a right to work for less state.

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Update: I ended up purchasing my own policy through NSO. Thanks for all the feedback! The deciding factor came down to money, just couldn't work the union dues into my budget, even with payroll deduction.

This should probably be on another thread but I definitely feel an added sense of reassurance now that I have the insurance. Don't know why I didn't purchase it straight out of nursing school! Hopefully I'll never have to use it. If there are any school nurses out there who don't have coverage, I strongly encourage it! We practice so independently in schools, and people can be so litigious these days, it's made me nervous since I started school nursing last year. Anyway, happy Friday! :up:

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

Do your schools not cover you with malpractice policies? I have that is paid for by the school district, but then again we have a nurses union and are represented by the teachers union.

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Do your schools not cover you with malpractice policies? I have malpractice insurance that is paid for by the school district, but then again we have a nurses union and are represented by the teachers union.

My school has insurance but I always recommend that people get their own as well. If there's ever an incident the School's insurance will protect the school not necessarily me. I want someone who is looking out for my best interests. Best $100 I spend each year.

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Specializes in kids.

What we are missing by not being in the teachers union are any of the retirement perks - buy back of unused sick time being a biggie!!!!

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