I am lamenting my job these days... I am feeling so fed up with these kids and their arbitrary complaints.
Last week I had a girl in pretending to have visual/auditory hallucinations. Of course I can't say that I think she is faking it, but my experience and the convenient on/off quality of the hallucinations raise enough suspicion that I wanted to tell the girl to quit it and buck up. Meanwhile, I can't do anything else in my office or even really treat other kids because WHAT IF?? What if she isn't faking? What if she is experiencing an episode of psychosis? What if I ignore it? What if she leaves my office and hurts herself? What if.... argg!!!!!
Kid after kid crying about a belly ache and begging to have me call home for something that they never should have even left the classroom for.
I know I will stay because I am not giving up this schedule/pension. But I am so salty about it all for the whole last week. I need a vacation....
Edit to add- I am also fully aware that this is a stressful time in my personal life with holidays, graduate classes, single mom life, etc.
Going on my 5th year and I think it will be my last. I have lost patience with kids and parents. I love my schedule and being with my daughters everyday, but that it about all I enjoy about my job. I am glad I am not the only one feeling burned out.
Well, maybe don't make any decisions until later in the year?
Well, maybe don't make any decisions until later in the year?
This is really good advice!!!!! This time of year is one of the worst for school nurses. Just put your blinders on, stay on the path, smile and wave, and see how you feel as summer approaches. I only stay in school nursing because of the time off.
Going on my 5th year and I think it will be my last. I have lost patience with kids and parents. I love my schedule and being with my daughters everyday, but that it about all I enjoy about my job. I am glad I am not the only one feeling burned out.
This was me coming up on my 5th year and I did retire as a school nurse. I did love the kids as I worked from K-12 but I had 11 campuses to cover and worked 3 days a week. There was a lot I couldn't get done. And being the only medical authority is a huge challenge when you have a principal second-guessing your medical decisions.
One of the things that kept me there was I got to see my son a lot while he was in elementary school.
I was also working hospice and still do. Retirement is at least 6 years away and I like what I'm doing now.
Some of the kids come up to me at school events and say they miss me and give me a hug. At a football game a couple of weeks ago a freshman girl came up to me and said "Hey, you're that lady who gave me a drug test!". And I said "Yes I am!".
And yes, you are still welcome here even if you quit your school nurse job. I certainly am!
Been there, done that . . . I think you were a bit snarky with your first comment.
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I have been feeling the EXACT same thing lately! Gosh, just this morning I told my honey "This year is shaping up to be so much more draining that last year." Which, in a way, is good because at least my first year was smoother than this one. I really am so drained and I can FEEL myself being grouchy and I hate it. Everybody thinks this is such a cush job, they have no idea.
HOWEVER!
One PRN shift at my hospital job is enough to remind me that the grass is plenty green where I currently stand. This school gig would have to get a LOT worse before I considered going back to the floor full time.
One PRN shift at my hospital job is enough to remind me that the grass is plenty green where I currently stand. This school gig would have to get a LOT worse before I considered going back to the floor full time.
Oh lord have mercy . . . I'm not going back to "the floor" at all. I was recently offered "big bucks" to come back to ER and I declined. No way, no how.
One PRN shift at my hospital job is enough to remind me that the grass is plenty green where I currently stand. This school gig would have to get a LOT worse before I considered going back to the floor full time.
Just the thought of being back on the floor made me shudder! No thank you!
Although I'm only 3 months out from quitting my hospital gig I just can't imagine giving up this schedule now! And I haven't even experienced the glory that is an entire summer off! I am no longer chronically sleep deprived! My husband and children have commented multiple times how much happier I am and I love never having to turn down an invitation to a shindig in the evenings or on weekends because of work.
. Forget about it!! Be kind to yourself...
kidzcare
3,393 Posts
Thanks Cattz! *(hug)*