Elementary or High School

peacockblue · Jan 12, 2017

I have done both and I just love high school but elementy is torture. I can't stand the whining, peed pants and general misery of elementary kids. High school kids are fun and teachable and make me laugh every day. Of course the elementary nurses I work with would totally disagree with me. They are very different and by all means, try elementary. You might love it!

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Jan 13, 2017

Started with Middle and High , now just high school

MHDNURSE · Jan 13, 2017

Funny b/c I am K and first grade and we will grow to K-2 next year, K-3 the year after and eventually be K-4. Our school (charter school) has a campus that is 5-12 and they have one nurse over there. The master plan is for our elementary grades to move to the 5-12 campus for the 2018-2019 school year. At that time, the 9-12 grades will move to their own, new "High School" campus. So that means the current MS/HS nurse will either have to just be for the high school and move with them, or potentially they would hire a third nurse and I would stay K-4, new nurse 5-8, and her 9-12. That's what I am hoping b/c it would be great to have two of us for K-8. BUT, the current nurse HATES elementary so she is already saying that she doesn;t want to have to see the "littles" LOL and I hate Middle School b/c of all of the social drama...so we will see what happens I guess. I think everyone has their ages they like. Kind of like in nursing in general. I wouldn't be caught dead taking care of an adult, unless it were a pregnant woman in OBGYN. And I have friends that run the other way if the patient isn't over 21- lol

cooties_are_real · Jan 13, 2017

I am at the high school. I love it, but the drama the last few years has been unbelievable. With 2 Little Darlings that are always trying to get out of class or go home everyday (and I do mean everyday) has been draining. They have not been coming in as much, but they do make it to my office and try.

This year we opened a new campus (1-5) and the nurse's office was overwhelmed so I went to help out. I love that age group too. One of the nurse's over there may retire this year and we have been discussing me moving to the elementary. I do enjoy it over there and have fun with them, but I'm not sure if I would like it everyday.

Eleven011 · Jan 13, 2017

I have them all! My school is PreK - 12. But I prefer the little ones. I like to be around the teens, I have two kids up there, but not when they are sick. They are way more whiney than my little ones!

GdBSN, RN · Jan 13, 2017

I have done both. I moved from elementary to HS this year. I love HS! I haven't had a whole lot of drama yet, but I think I handle that way better than all the non-medical issues that nurses deal with at the elementary level. There is so much drama with teachers at elementary level. They think every student that has a stomach/headache or sniffle needs to go home, they think lice are worst thing ever, and they always like to question your medical assessment. I love teaching HS students about medical conditions and how to take care of their body. I love joking around with the HS kids, and most are very respectful. That's what is great about SN, you can choose which age-level fits you the best.

mom to many · Jan 13, 2017

I am at an Elementary campus (Pre-K-2nd), I LOVE it! Yes, there are those days that the whining and neediness gets overwhelming, but it's still the BEST job I've ever had. I subbed at the HS many times before I got hired full time here. I did not enjoy it. I'll take an "I pee'd my pants" over an "I think I'm pregnant" ANY DAY. But our HS nurse can't handle being here at elementary, it drives her crazy just to stop by for a few minutes. Thank goodness there are so many options so we can find that perfect spot for each of us.

Supernrse01, BSN · Jan 13, 2017

I actually work 3rd- 12th grades now and prefer the Middle School students!

Farawyn · Jan 13, 2017

Grades 7-12 and wouldn't have it any other way.

Tina, RN · Jan 14, 2017

I have done elementary and high school. I will never, ever go back to elementary!

I love little ones, but I don't want to be responsible for hundreds of them each day. Too much neediness, and the teachers in elementary are insane! The big kids are fun. It's nice to be able to actually converse with them. :)

foggnm · Jan 14, 2017

I work middle school. It is a nice in-between to me. The problem with elementary is the young kids can't communicate like adults and they require vision/hearing/health screenings twice during their elementary years which takes a lot of time. I came from an adult-nursing background so elementary is pediatrics and just not something I can relate to very well. To me your question is a pediatric vs adult question. But is sounds like you might just not enjoy school nursing in general. And that's OK. I did about 7 years inpatient work and realized that I couldn't do the 12 hour shifts, high stress, dirty work anymore. I'm super happy to be working in the schools and lucky to also get to work with a medically fragile population. It is very rewarding and much more uplifting than going home from a code in the ER!