what would you do?

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I know that I'm in need of a change, but I have been holding off for the right opportunity. At this point in my life, my number one priority is to be home in time to get my kids from school. Right now, I am the only nurse in charge of 2 buildings, approx 1,000 students PK-8th-it's fairly difficult. BUT, I get home in time for my kids.

I am considering applying for an elementary school-1 building, grades 3rd-5th, approx 500 students. There would be far less state mandates to cover for those grades and since I only have 1 building to cover, there would be theoretically less stress involved in my day and less fires to put out. I do know that there will be more ELL students/families. I'm not sure about the pay, although I believe that the nurses in the district get paid more than I do currently. Schedule would most likely allow me to arrive home a little earlier than I do now. The ONLY thing that makes me hesitate is the fact that my commute would double from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Should I apply or stay until a better opportunity closer to home arises? Are there other things that I should consider when I'm weighing the pros vs cons? Please tell me...what would you do?

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Am I understanding that you would not be in your kid's district? Are you now?

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Just now, SaltineQueen said:

Am I understanding that you would not be in your kid's district? Are you now?

Correct. I am not in my kids district now nor is this an opening at my kids' district.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

APPLY! APPLY NOW!

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Go for it! An additional 15 minute would not be a deal breaker.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Under the circumstances you describe, I'd go for it. Good luck!!

?

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

One of US!! (I think that's @SaltineQueen) but I can't remember. Having switched from high school to Prek-7:

The littles are more needy, as are their teachers. Check the district's requirement for hearing/vision/etc. screening... My first elementary fall blew by in a whirl of h/v/dental assessments for prek, K, 1,3,5 and 7 since I have a middle school campus too!

I do not regret "downsizing" one bit. Any time you only have one campus to cover is a good time, no? Good luck.

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If the commute does not affect getting your kits to school, or being there when they get home, everything else sounds great and I would go for it!

I just made the very difficult decision to not return to my job that I love for 2019-2020 school year, specifically because the extended school day has prevented me from being able to get home until 4 pm and my two kids (11 and 13) get home at 2:45. While they have done amazingly well getting home, getting a snack, and starting homework without me, I just cannot get past feeling sad that I am not there for them in the afternoons and this time goes by so quickly. Everything else about my job is fantastic but this is a deal breaker for me. My school needs me an additional hour next year so I would be working 8-4:30, home at 5 pm and I just won't.

So, if everything about this opportunity allows you everything you want and then some, the additional commute seems negligible. Good Luck!!

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12 minutes ago, ruby_jane said:

One of US!! (I think that's @SaltineQueen) but I can't remember. Having switched from high school to Prek-7:

The littles are more needy, as are their teachers. Check the district's requirement for hearing/vision/etc. screening... My first elementary fall blew by in a whirl of h/v/dental assessments for prek, K, 1,3,5 and 7 since I have a middle school campus too!

I do not regret "downsizing" one bit. Any time you only have one campus to cover is a good time, no? Good luck.

Actually, I already have PK-8th right now. So ,for me, going from PK-8th to only 3-5 would only mandate hearing for 3rd grade and vision/hearing in new students, IEPs, and teacher concerns. No physical or vaccination mandates (unless a few slipped through the cracks). My only mandates would be those who are arriving new to the state. My workload would be so much less. OK, so now, I'm excited! LOL! Thanks everybody. I think I'll go for it ?

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7 minutes ago, MHDNURSE said:

If the commute does not affect getting your kits to school, or being there when they get home, everything else sounds great and I would go for it!

I just made the very difficult decision to not return to my job that I love for 2019-2020 school year, specifically because the extended school day has prevented me from being able to get home until 4 pm and my two kids (11 and 13) get home at 2:45. While they have done amazingly well getting home, getting a snack, and starting homework without me, I just cannot get past feeling sad that I am not there for them in the afternoons and this time goes by so quickly. Everything else about my job is fantastic but this is a deal breaker for me. My school needs me an additional hour next year so I would be working 8-4:30, home at 5 pm and I just won't.

So, if everything about this opportunity allows you everything you want and then some, the additional commute seems negligible. Good Luck!!

Yes, that would be an absolute deal breaker for me too. I'm sorry that you had to make that difficult decision. I feel like everything happens for a reason though, so you never know what's right around the corner ?

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I think what brought many of us to this specialty is the schedule!! If they continue to add more hours to the day and more days to the year (especially with no increase in pay) - is it worth it?

15 minute more drive for less actual work hours and decreased workload. I would go for it if it were me.

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2 hours ago, jess11RN said:

Actually, I already have pre K-8th right now. So ,for me, going from PK-8th to only 3-5 would only mandate hearing for 3rd grade and vision/hearing in new students, IEPs, and teacher concerns. No physical or vaccination mandates (unless a few slipped through the cracks). My only mandates would be those who are arriving new to the state. My workload would be so much less. OK, so now, I'm excited! LOL! Thanks everybody. I think I'll go for it ?

I know we are in the same state and got our certification together ? Would they be paying you for your CSN? If you are doing the job duties of a certified staff member, I hope you will be paid for it!

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