Awkward situation

[NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

So I find myself in a bit of an awkward situation. I am moving from one school to another in the same district, basically jumping at the chance to work with another nurse I really admire and get away from administrative staff that quite clearly don't respect the nurse's position or opinion. My job was posted 10 days ago and interviews should be happening but I have not been informed nor invited to sit in on them.

Now, honestly I don't care who they hire, I don't have to work with them, but apparently this principal has hired two nurses at her previous school without having a nurse in the interviews, and both were disasters. Like, superintendent had to come in and fire them disasters. So I have reason to believe the new nurse will be just as disastrous but my opinion hasn't been asked for and again, I don't care who they hire.

I know I was not involved because the principal doesn't care what I think, but my lead district nurse is pushing me to get involved. I honestly think if I were being interviewed without a school nurse present, I would consider that a red flag, but whatever.

So, what do I do? Offer to look at CV's? Ask how interviews went? Ask for an update on my last day and hope that sparks an invite to interviews? Or just go about my business and ignore the whole process until asked to train my replacement? I'm assuming they will allow some overlap for training, unless they don't consider that necessary (they seem to think I am superfluous until someone is vomiting).

[OldDude]

Look forward and forget about it. Your lead nurse should be the one responsible for sitting in on interviews.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

My first interview (to put me in the "pool" of candidates) was with the director, who's a nurse. My interview for this campus was the principal and one AP. So it's possible the nurse has some pre-screening by someone who's a nurse.

I don't disagree with Old Dude (the principal apparently couldn't care less and that may bite him/her later). However, you were given a directive by your nursing supervisor. So I'd make the offer (in email, cc'ing the nursing director) and then do what Old Dude suggests. You did what was asked of you.

Good luck!

[WineRN]

Since you are getting pushed I would offer, and if they ignore you then that's that. You attempted.

Your lead nurse probably doesn't want to deal with another disaster.

[NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

So, they interviewed the other day and hired someone. Our district is small and there are no nurses at the district level, just the 10 school nurses, one of whom is our lead. And not one nurse on the interview team. One lady, whose daughter works here as a teacher, went to her daughter's classroom after the interview and asked if she could please at least see the nurse's office. She came in and asked me all the questions she asked them (about meds and stuff, you know, nursey questions) and they were unable to answer. Apparently she asked where the school nurse was and they made some weird excuse and changed the subject.

I don't get it. The lead nurse is fuming because nursing staff should have some input on nursing hires. What's weirder is that at the school where I am transferring to, the nurse already there asked if she would have been included in the interviews for the position there (they didn't interview because I applied and she had asked for me specifically anyway) and the principal replied "well no, why would you need to be there?"

I mean, it's only an interview for a nurse you will work with everyday, and you are the only other nurse in the building, yeah, why would they include you?

[OldDude]

Please don't frustrate yourself by attempting to apply logic, reason, or common sense to public school administration.

[caliotter3]

Go about your business and ignore the whole process.

[peacockblue]

We are never involved with the hiring process. We are also not involved in policy making. In fact, I usually find there is a new policy effecting me when I read the names minutes. Nurses are not particularly respected by the higher ups in our district. The students, staff and parents (mostly) respect me though. It is what it is.

[Amethya]

Mine was just the AP and after an hour I left, I got hired.

Then the OM who has been a Medical Aide, explained me stuff and is still helpful to me when I need it.