Anyone ever quit school nursing?

WineRN · Sep 28, 2017

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone ever went into school nursing then realized it wasn't for them and somehow left to go back to a previous position or new position.
Idk what to do, I kept my old job per diem haven't worked since I put in my 2 week notice last month. But sometimes I have crazy thoughts of just going back and negotiating my full time position there. IDK what to do. Every time I think just hang in there (school nursing) then I come back to work the next day and I'm sad all over again. It's only been a month and I'm so confused on what to do. I've never felt this way about any job I've held in the healthcare field. I worked as a PCA for almost 5 years at a hospital before I left to pursue an RN position somewhere else due to them not having a new grad position available at the time. Part of me would feel silly for asking for my old position back and the other part would feel guilty for attempting to leave this position in such a short time frame which would leave the school without a nurse. I think I'm experiencing job dissatisfaction. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I was so happy when I first started but overtime when I realized it wasn't what I expected, I now dread going to work. Plus the commute to and from work is horrible so that doesn't help matters either. Plus I'm 9 weeks pregnant so that's another factor to consider when switching jobs. This job is perfect for the baby because I would have paid maternity leave and I'm off all the times the kids are off. But that no longer is interesting to me because I'm not happy. I just don't want to do anything hasty without going over all my options. That's why I'm seeking advice.
Thank you :)

Life is much to short to be sad all the time.

I did home health right before school nursing and I LOVED my clients and the pay, but HATED the driving and the hours. I started subbing and I REALLY enjoyed it. When I started full time there was definitely a transition period where I wasn't sure of my choice because it was just SO DIFFERENT from every other type of nursing I've done but I never have been sad or unhappy to come to work.

It is absolutely ok not to like school nursing, it isn't for everyone just like bedside nursing isn't for everyone. I had a mentor tell me that nursing is like a bouquet of flowers, we are all nurses but we can do SO MANY different things. I hope you find the place that makes you happy :)

Farawyn · Sep 28, 2017

What do you LIKE about your job?

Why did you leave the last job?

What changed at the last job to make you want to go back?

What can you improve/fix about your current job, and what is set in stone?

I'm sorry you are still sad. I would say give it time, but maybe it is just not your thing.

It is not for everyone.

mag426, ADN, BSN · Sep 28, 2017

@WineRN, BSN, RN

Thanks for your advice, it was really nice! I hope I find a place that makes me happy as well.

OldDude · Sep 28, 2017

Is this your first baby?

mag426, ADN, BSN · Sep 28, 2017

@Farawyn, RN

What I like about this job is the autonomy where I can do my own thing without judgement but also miss having other nurse people around me. I thought I would like the schedule but I'm now faced with ridiculous traffic commute in the morning, I have to get up an hour earlier then I had to for my last job which was also a 7-330 position. Days seem so long since I'm now M-F. But I have every weekend off and no holidays.

I left because of the instability, they're were under new management and all of our shifts were being cancelled left and right, almost on a weekly basis. Management wasn't the best. I didn't hate it though.

They changed around one of the units and closed down one, so no longer one nurse working on 2 separate units. Only reason why I know is due to staffing calling me yesterday to ask me to pick up a shift and she mentioned it in the voicemail.

I'm not sure what I can do to improve this new position. I have a feeling that this is it! What I'm seeing is what I will probably be dealing with till the end of the school year. But I also don't know for sure.

Idk just never felt so underwhelmed at a new job. Usually quite the opposite occurs, where I'm super happy to learn how the place operates and my new role there. But now I'm just bummed. Sitting here currently thinking about how will I stick this out till the end of the year and if I should even try.

Thank you :) I appreciate the advice.

mag426, ADN, BSN · Sep 28, 2017

@OldDude, RN

Yes it is. So there is a lot I don't know yet and still learning about working while pregnant. I'm excited but also wish I found out before accepting a new job, I found out a week before I was supposed to start and a week after I accepted the position.

BeckyESRN · Sep 28, 2017

I apologize if this is out of line: Pregnancy can really cloud your judgement. While I was pregnant last year, I really struggled here at work and normally, I love my job. I was bored and sad and unfulfilled and disconnected. If you find it spilling over into other areas, please keep in mind that antepartum depression is a real thing.

School nursing isn't for everybody! I wonder if you're feeling bored may have a lot to do with the fact that your school hasn't had a reliable nurse in a while, so everyone has gotten used to handling things on their own. Now for the logistical stuff: you are pregnant, you're going to need maternity leave- the school is offering it, paid! Winter break is awesome, summer break is freaking amazing, holidays off, no weekends-ever, set schedule, all daylight, 2 hour-delays, snow days! Think about your worst day at your old job, then the best day as a school nurse-if you'd trade your best day as a nurse to relive your worst day at your old job, then maybe this isn't for you. Don't do anything impulsive, give it sometime.

OldDude · Sep 28, 2017

OK mag, you have a lot of neurons firing right now but I want you to turn off the noise and pay close attention...first of all, with few exceptions, it is always a mistake to "go back" to a job you've quit. Most importantly, you have no "real" idea how your like will be forever changed with the arrival of your first born. Regardless of what you have been told, what you've read, what you've seen on Oprah, etc., you won't understand it until you experience it. Fast forward to a year from now and you won't even have the time to recall these posts about you being bored or underwhelmed. Last thing...what "you" want now takes second place behind what the baby needs and what is best for the baby. So at this moment in time, savor the boredom, cherish the time you have to watch TV, get your nails done, go out to eat, and even go to the bathroom without interruption. Plan ahead as to what position you "should" be in to provide the best environment for your new bundle of joy cuz from that moment on this chapter of your life is permanently closed.

Good Luck - MOM!

Farawyn · Sep 28, 2017

@OldDude, RN
Yes it is. So there is a lot I don't know yet and still learning about working while pregnant. I'm excited but also wish I found out before accepting a new job, I found out a week before I was supposed to start and a week after I accepted the position.

Congratulations!

mag426, ADN, BSN · Sep 28, 2017

@BeckyESRN

Thanks for the advice! Never thought of pregnancy clouding my judgement but this is my first time so who knows maybe it is. The benefits of course outweigh the benefits at my old job, doesn't compare. But I'm just bored. With this new found fatigue it's tough trying to fight fatigue when you don't have a lot on your plate as it is and just organizing files while seeing students in between. Idk the worst day at my old job would be me swamped with a million things on my to do list, no chance to use the bathroom or eat and exhausted physically. My best day here thus far has been the field trip where we went hiking with the kids but field trips are every so often. Nothing in the clinic has been anything to call home about. I'm more stagnant here, I walk around every so often to keep the blood circulating since I'm not used to sitting in an office for my whole shift. I won't do anything impulsive, not my style, but just venting helps me feel better and not feel so crazy for thinking these thoughts.

Farawyn · Sep 28, 2017

@BeckyESRN
Thanks for the advice! Never thought of pregnancy clouding my judgement but this is my first time so who knows maybe it is. The benefits of course outweigh the benefits at my old job, doesn't compare. But I'm just bored. With this new found fatigue it's tough trying to fight fatigue when you don't have a lot on your plate as it is and just organizing files while seeing students in between. Idk the worst day at my old job would be me swamped with a million things on my to do list, no chance to use the bathroom or eat and exhausted physically. My best day here thus far has been the field trip where we went hiking with the kids but field trips are every so often. Nothing in the clinic has been anything to call home about. I'm more stagnant here, I walk around every so often to keep the blood circulating since I'm not used to sitting in an office for my whole shift. I won't do anything impulsive, not my style, but just venting helps me feel better and not feel so crazy for thinking these thoughts.

That's what we are here for.