Ever felt like throwing in the towel ?

NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 28, 2017

Summer is coming!

There's always going to be someone mad at you but don't let it get to you. Follow the policies and practice within the limits of your license. That's all you can really do.

But seriously, Summer is coming.

caliotter3 · Apr 28, 2017

Sorry. Same in many areas of nursing besides school nursing. No insight or words of encouragement other than the fact that at least you have a job.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 28, 2017

i get down on the job from time to time and I really break down the job. I don't compare myself to others - that will just upset me if i look too hard at jobs that this job has nothing to do with (but i mean i'd still leave it all for an opening paying 100k to be taste tester at the Edy's factory in case anyone has a hook up - just putting that out there). I make a decent salary. I am not digging ditches (Not that there is anything wrong with that, but i'd be horrible at it). I get to work inside in a climate controlled building. While i can deal with some doozy parents, kids and co-workers, No place is Shangri-la. I'll bet the Edy's taste tester goes home with a belly ache. And in 16 short years I retire

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2017

i get down on the job from time to time and I really break down the job. I don't compare myself to others - that will just upset me if i look too hard at jobs that this job has nothing to do with (but i mean i'd still leave it all for an opening paying 100k to be taste tester at the Edy's factory in case anyone has a hook up - just putting that out there). I make a decent salary. I am not digging ditches (Not that there is anything wrong with that, but i'd be horrible at it). I get to work inside in a climate controlled building. While i can deal with some doozy parents, kids and co-workers, No place is Shangri-la. I'll bet the Edy's taste tester goes home with a belly ache. And in 16 short years I retire

Yep. And I can retire with a pension! A huge bonus for me. I also love my weekends and holidays.

When I get down, I look at the side of my metal cabinet. There, attached with magnets, are the few letters, drawings, thank yous I've gotten from students over the last few years. I also have some art work from students on my walls. The benefit of being the nurse for grades 7-12 is I do see them graduate. I ask FF students to leave something behind for me in my office before they graduate and several do. And corny as it is, they made me smile and let me know I've made a small impact on someone .

MHDNURSE · Apr 28, 2017

I agree, it can be really frustrating. At the beginning of the year, we had a staff training that focused on a couple of really important things. One was about not making a single story about anyone. In a nutshell, we talked about how when we have an interaction with someone, we make assumptions about them, based on that interaction. The assumptions become our "single story" about that parent or teacher or administrator. It is the single story that can cloud any future interactions with them and make those interactions negative. It's sort of like those sayings you see all over the place that talk about not judging because everyone has some journey you know nothing about... I am the first to admit that I have a really hard time remembering this when I have a parent treat me badly or one who is non-compliant with bringing in paperwork that I have asked for a million times. I had a situation recently where a family was not returning calls and the child was having some medical issues in school. A couple of the numbers were disconnected and the one that worked was no longer accepting voice mail. I was super annoyed and finally came to realize that the family had recently become homeless Clearly calling the school nurse was not mom's priority when she is homeless with 5 kids. For me this is a work in progress but at the peak of my frustration I try to remember that rarely am I a parent's priority, and even though it involves their child, which SHOULD be their #1 priority, most of my families have a lot of stuff going on in their lives.

The other training we did was on "crucial conversations", which focused on talking to others face to face to deal with an issue, rather than letting is fester and eventually blow up. This has been a biggie here at work when admin or a teacher does something that frustrates me or makes my job harder. Again, this is a work in progress as I HATE conflict and HATE confrontation, so I am super guilty of letting things fester and I get more and more frustrated. I've actually been able to have a couple of conversations that have cleared things up for both me and the other party and has really helped.

Anyway, I guess my point is this job can be really hard, but I try to use some of the tools I have been given to help. This forum has been GREAT as well to vent and gain perspective about things. Hang in there, Summer is almost here!

ana010 · Apr 28, 2017

@MHDNURSE the staff training you were a part of reminds me of the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruix.

The agreements are as follows:

1. Be impeccable with your word.

a. Speak with integrity.

b. Say only what you mean.

c.Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others

d.Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't take anything personally

a. Nothing others do is because of you.

b. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality.

c. When you are immune to the options and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't make assumptions

a. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.

b. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.

c. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always do your best

a. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are health as opposed to sick.

b. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self abuse, and regret.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2017

Praiser, hang in there. Lots of good advice and support here. This year especially (it's my fifth in school nursing) I have to keep reminding myself of three things:

I cannot care more about the children than their parents do;

I do not have the full picture all the time, and I, unfortunately am an easy target for irritability. I will do my best but I will not tolerate slander about my professional ability; and

In all my jobs, I've had dissatisfied consumers. Not all of them have complained to the Superintendent. But then one of my favorite teachers mentioned that he'd received Superintendent complaints THREE TIMES. And "why would anyone complain about YOU? You're awesome!"

We had a regional meeting last night for the TX school nurses' association. We talked about the bills going on in the TX lege (lice notification!), we drank some margaritas/sangrias/tea and we fellowshipped. It was good.

The hardest thing about school nursing: your peer group is often electronic. I have about three nurses I call when I want to run something by another professional.

The best thing about school nursing: I leave at 3:15 whether I like the job or not that day.

"You can lean too hard on regret/but I don't recommend it..." Radney Foster

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2017

Not taking something personally is a skill. It takes so much practice and it absolutely the hardest thing for me to do. And I'm improved 150% at it over the years, being able to easily drop some things I couldn't before.

Truth is that you don't know everyone's story. And sometimes you learn it and it is heart breaking. And sometimes you learn it and it makes you just sigh.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Apr 28, 2017

I have been having some bad days lately myself and feeling so down about it. I hear you, Praiser. So much so that I actually applied for a FT hospital job last week. Stress about money and feeling isolated, vilified and like I can't do anything right pushed me to fill out that application.

Then I went home. Was on my sofa by 4:15 with my puppy at my feet and my cat on my lap. I walked through my house, clean and safe. My fiance came home and we had dinner and watched Wheel of Fortune. I FaceTimed with my sister. I realized that as bad as work had been, there are so many more wonderful things in my life to focus on. Things that I would definitely miss out on if I went back to working in a hospital. I may not have a lot of money but I certainly have more than some people and I make it work. I may have to work with difficult parents and staff but I get to leave on time (usually) at the end of each day and forget all of that.

The next day, a student came to my office "just to say hi" and gave me a big hug. A parent told administration during her son's IEP meeting that I was wonderful and one of the best nurses she has ever met.

That afternoon, I got a call to meet with the hiring manager of the job I applied for. I politely declined.

Perspective is a powerful thing and the ebb and flow of our days makes sure life balances out in the end. They can't all be "nice comment from parents and hugs from students" days. But some of them are. I know it's hard, but try to focus on those times.

Be gentle with yourself, you're doing the best you can.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Apr 28, 2017

I loathe hospital nursing. Took a $20+/hr pay cut to do LTC and school nursing. Best move ever! Every job has its issues, you just have to weigh them and decide if it is really worthwhile.

Tencat12 · Apr 28, 2017

Hello! I feel that way at LEAST once a day.......but. Here I am :) It is hard to work in an environment with no other healthcare folks as one does not have the access to peers to blow off steam with or hash out responses to situations with. It is also hard when you do not have the backing or support of administration. But on the bright side....who else in the school gets to spend their day seeing weird rashes and lice??? :) One word makes it very appealing, however, SUMMER. Hang in there! I find a lot of great advice in this forum, and a good place to go for a much needed laugh at times.