Did you replace a school nurse?

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Feb 21, 2018

I did not. My school had never had a nurse, which I like. I get to kinda do things my way and I never hear "well, that's not how so-and-so did it!" Every year is a toss up on whether we get to stay at our current school or not. I LOVE my school and pray I always get to be here. This is my third year here.

OldDude · Feb 21, 2018

I did not. My school had never had a nurse, which I like. I get to kinda do things my way and I never hear "well, that's not how so-and-so did it!" Every year is a toss up on whether we get to stay at our current school or not. I LOVE my school and pray I always get to be here. This is my third year here.

HaHa. So true. When I first started, I would get told, "we're glad you're here...the other nurse hated kids!"

AdobeRN · Feb 21, 2018

I did but she had only been with the district 5 years and got tired of school nursing & dealing with parents and decided to move onto something else. One of our head nurses retired 2 or 3 years ago after 35+ years with the district - it was way past her time to retire - she was of no help at all, close to 70 years old.

Csn2016, BSN · Feb 21, 2018

I did (just started my position last year 2016/2017 school year), she was there for many years (I think over 30) but very old school. Papers EVERYWHERE, everything hand written in notebooks. She saved everything (found items in her storage closet that expired in 1982.) Filing cabinets overflowing with outdated pamphlets from the early 90s, student health records from the 1960s/1970s, I even found an old glass syringe with a needle--the kind that used to be sterilized to be reused.

I almost quit before I even started because I was so overwhelmed (was literally shown my office and told "hear ya go!'...same thing when IT came and hooked me up to the computer system, asked how I navigate it and was told by him that he only knows how to do the teachers stuff can't help me with navigating the medical part...gee thanks)

Eleven011 · Feb 21, 2018

This is my 3rd year as nurse here. The nurse I took over for retired. She had been here 18 years. I got alot of the "this is the way so and so did it" the first year, but it died down pretty quickly. We have teachers and staff come and go every year, so I'm not the "new" nurse anymore. I know there were several other nurses in the years previous to her, because I occasionally find signatures in old records, ect. When I started I found a couple old nursing textbooks from the 50's with notes written in the margin. The name in them is from a previous nures, I was told. I have them on my shelf for decoration :)

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 21, 2018

Yes, she was here for 20 years (When the school opened)

Kittery · Feb 21, 2018

I've replaced a nurse at all 3 schools I've been at. 2 of them overall did not like the nurse prior to me so I was received well. 1 of them, the nurse had not been there too long but was very beloved and I was not received so well and heard all the time "well our old nurse did it this way..." Of course, when I was about to leave that school, I started to hear complaints about the nurse I replaced.

I don't pay any mind to whatever is said about the previous nurse because I know teachers don't really understand our role anyway!

WineRN · Feb 21, 2018

There was a nurse that was here for nearly 20 years before she made a large medical mistake and had to leave. Then there was a stream of nurses (3 or 4 I believe) before I came last January. Last May I can't even count how many students, staff and parents asked if I would be returning in the fall.

Because of the frequent turn over, the office was a hot mess. Similar to what someone said above, I was finding paperwork and medications that both should have been pitched decades ago.

Those first few months were all about surviving and proving myself to everyone around me. A lot of staff still missed their old nurse and a lot more were anxious about the constant turn over.

But we are past that now and I'm so happy here

LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2018

Same as others, 20+ years. People either love or hate school nursing. Hoping you guys are stuck with me for a long time.

tining, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2018

My first school opened the previous year that I started. I replaced a friend who told me she did not want the spot - "not for me".

My current school the previous nurse retired and had been here 7 years. I did not hear any complaints from the students, but most of the staff was relieved when I came. Evidently she was moody.

The nurses office was full to the gills with paperwork, furniture (man it was tight in here), posters of muscles, respiratory system, way too medical for elementary. I still have the torso with organs, but I covered it with a school spirit shirt - it was so gross. Her desk faced the wall and I would see movement in my peripheral vision and no one would be there, OR I wouldn't see anyone and would be startled to see a student sitting sitting there (who of course would not draw attention to themselves). I forgot to mention how a lot of things were hot glued to the walls, and desk.

The nurse that retired subs for me and says she likes my room - well derrrrr. I have cute posters and it feels happier here.

OhioBPH · Feb 21, 2018

A couple years ago the hospital I work for got the contract for this district. Since then it was a revolving door of nurses who were here 1-2 quarters and then moved on. Everyone is thrilled that I am here to stay (for a little while at least). But between a sub par staffing company having the contract before us and the high turnover there are alot of issues I have to make my way through in the school.