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.
I don't know...working 5 days a week has required me to do my errands and housecleaning on weekends or evenings. I also do a lot of "single parenting" because hubby travels constantly. I do 99% of driving the kiddo to practices, activities, etc. as well as helping with homework, projects and emotional breakdowns (hers and mine.)
I spent the last 2 evenings cleaning house until 9 pm. I had to stop then so my daughter could go to sleep. Then I started laundry. When I worked my three 12-hour shifts I at least had a couple of days home alone where I could go hard OCD on the house while everyone was away AND get my alone time all at once. I think a big part of my problem with working M-F is not getting my personal downtime. That's a serious mental health need for me.
I'm feeling out some other positions but also am very appreciative of the incredible hours I have at school as well as the holidays and summers. I know how awesome that is and can appreciate it. My pay is horrendous, though, and with the stress of the situation I'm in right now could easily walk away if offered more elsewhere. I know I could work part-time on the floor & make the same or more money-wise. It would just have to be the right situation for me.
I find school nursing mentally draining and hospital nursing physically draining. Even though I was off more days working 12's I found the first day off I was pretty useless. The second day off was cleaning and third running errands. That left one day off for me but I loved it. I loved not feeling like I was constantly at work like I do now. However, we had frequent flyers on our floor there for their fake ailment to get pain med. I still had several requests every hour for pain med, IV change, discharge, admission, blood, etc so I felt like I was stretched much more thin. I like being home every eve to hear about my kid's and husband's day and I never have to worry about missing any school performances. Every job has good and bad so you just have to figure out which bad you can live with. I think just working with children and parents period is draining for even the teachers so it's good we get those breaks to refresh ourselves. It's not for everyone. I've found the first few months of school and then the dead of winter the hardest. The longer you're at a school the more the kids get to know you and you them. Some of the frequent flyers even become my favorites. There's a few threads on here about frequent flyers that may help you. This is my 3rd year at this school and most of the kids have finally learned if no fever or vomiting they get to stay at school for those vague stomach complaints. If they really are sick something will show up (fever, vomiting, etc). Sure some may truly feel bad but they'll live. After all I show up at work when I don't feel great. It's life. Good luck!
School Nurses: The AN poster 'Been there done that' is a serial antagonist - take a look at the posts when you click on the user name. She/he has posted negative responses on our site before. I believe trying to get a rise out of people. Everyone here handled themselves professionally and respectfully. One of my first experiences in nursing school was the lesson to not be judgmental to others 'Been there done that' may need a refresher course in compassion. Everyone here may have different opinions but using an anonymous forum to be mean is lower than low. Respectfully this person's account should be removed.
I know her from other general posts, hence why I called her out. She does have some good points to offer, but not in this instance. Sad that some people love to throw grenades and stand back to see the carnage.
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
I just had broke into tears today because two mothers came to complain about me. I apoligized and told them that I will remember to call them next time, but it made me feel horrible. The faculty told me that's its okay, I'm new to this whole school nurse thing, but still... I feel really bad.
I just had broke into tears today because two mothers came to complain about me. I apoligized and told them that I will remember to call them next time, but it made me feel horrible. The faculty told me that's its okay, I'm new to this whole school nurse thing, but still... I feel really bad.
Next time they will yell at you for calling. It is the nature of the beast, people are miserable and need someone to vent their wrath on.
Next time they will yell at you for calling. It is the nature of the beast, people are miserable and need someone to vent their wrath on.
No truer words have been spoken!!
Here's another one to prepare for...you call a parent to come pick up their child for further evaluation for an injury fracture versus no fracture. Instead of, "thank god is wasn't broken," you get railed at the next day because there was no fracture.
Here's another one to prepare for...you call a parent to come pick up their child for further evaluation for an injury fracture versus no fracture. Instead of, "thank god is wasn't broken," you get railed at the next day because there was no fracture.
Yes!! and that's when i think to myself, "well, i can break it for you if you'd really like."
Here's another one to prepare for...you call a parent to come pick up their child for further evaluation for an injury fracture versus no fracture. Instead of, "thank god is wasn't broken," you get railed at the next day because there was no fracture.
Sorry that happened to you OD. But, (and tell the parent this) I would still rather be having this conversation with you than the one that starts with "my child had a fracture, and you did nothing."
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
The problem with the mom was her child came in because he said his friend in class hit his eye with his finger. He was saying he was in pain, I gave him eye drops and ice packs, but nothing helped. I didn't call mom, which I know it was a mistake, but it didn't look bad. It was near dismissal anyways, so i told him to tell his mom so she can take care of it. The kid didn't say anything, and parents didn't do anything. Then today, he came in with his eye all red and black. I called mom and she said she was upset that we didn't let her know what happened, I apologized but she was still mad because her son said it was a pencil. Then another mom got mad because I gave her son eye drops and she said I need to ask for permission for these things. I apologized but she was upset. I asked my admin and the school manager for the medical aides, and they told me I need to document and also call before I give stuff like neosporin.
NanaPoo
762 Posts
I don't know...working 5 days a week has required me to do my errands and housecleaning on weekends or evenings. I also do a lot of "single parenting" because hubby travels constantly. I do 99% of driving the kiddo to practices, activities, etc. as well as helping with homework, projects and emotional breakdowns (hers and mine.)
I spent the last 2 evenings cleaning house until 9 pm. I had to stop then so my daughter could go to sleep. Then I started laundry. When I worked my three 12-hour shifts I at least had a couple of days home alone where I could go hard OCD on the house while everyone was away AND get my alone time all at once. I think a big part of my problem with working M-F is not getting my personal downtime. That's a serious mental health need for me.
I'm feeling out some other positions but also am very appreciative of the incredible hours I have at school as well as the holidays and summers. I know how awesome that is and can appreciate it. My pay is horrendous, though, and with the stress of the situation I'm in right now could easily walk away if offered more elsewhere. I know I could work part-time on the floor & make the same or more money-wise. It would just have to be the right situation for me.