Do you feel that School Nurses are respected in the school system???

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I am a currently working as a school nurse. I have been working at local school system for about 6months only to find out it is not anything as i anticipated. I have to answer to much staff on where I am at all times, and i am pulled from one school to the nurse because the principal feels i should be there!! I service two schools and I have never been formally introduced to these principals and I have one principal that never speaks to me only when it is regarding a student and then she just bombards my office without even speaking, she just goes right into what it is she needs!! I say to myself I should have a mop in my hand and be a janitor, because they are getting more respect than i am for my skill. I have 7yrs of pediatric experience so they really have a skilled nurse that's working with them; however, they give me NO respect as a nurse, and demands things of me with their school. I do not tolerate disrespect or what I feel is disrespect towards me, and they cant handle that!! Needless to say I am resigning, and glad about it!! I feel that this school system (including principals) need to recognize that nurses have just as much education if not more than they do and needs to be respected for their skill and craft!! what do you all think?????

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i often liken my position to that of a fire extinguisher. Most of the time most people don't even notice that i'm there until they need me. and then if i'm not there, they panic.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.
i often liken my position to that of a fire extinguisher. Most of the time most people don't even notice that i'm there until they need me. and then if i'm not there, they panic

Yup exactly what Flare said ;)

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Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

I agree with Flare... I'm not always noticed and I'm last to find things out.. but if they need me and I'm not there..panic!

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Specializes in School nursing.

Well...the second I step away from my office for 5 minutes to make a couple of photocopies, everyone sees I'm gone and wants me!

But I will admit that my school takes care to include me and I've gotten a lot of respect and thank yous. That goes a long way, they want me to stay and it is working - I'm not leaving :).

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Having 7 schools, the office staff love when I finally get to their school! That doesn't mean I'm respected though. Teachers try to push me around and principals don't take the time to understand what needs to happen or my position. I assume it's because I'm the only medical person surrounded by educational people and majority rules... They love me when they need something and forget me other times. Uhg... I love the kids though.

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Specializes in ccu.

Mostly what Flare said. They don't really notice me much until they need me. BUT, they do include me in stuff and bring me treats, etc (mostly, sometimes I get forgotten). But I really kinda like that no one is up my butt hounding me all day like they are in the hospital.

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Specializes in kids.

I have been in my district for a number of years....it took some time, but I feel like I have earned their respect. I am involved in the culture of the school and the community and that is important (IMHO). I try to keep the teachers in the loop as best as I can.

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I have only been a school nurse for 3 months and it is not what I anticipated either. It's frustrating and I have not figured out how to make things better. My principal and the teachers I've met so far are nice to me. But they overstep their bounds a lot of time. I see about 25 to 30 kids a day, so it's overwhelming to say the least. But it's definitely not what I expected!

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I see about 50 kids on Mondays, talk about overwhelming. :dead:

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