First year as a school nurse....feeling disrespected as the only nurse in the building.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

Oh yes, this is common. You'll also love the politics of not sending home sick kids too early, so they can be marked present for the day (so the school can get it's funding for that student that day). You'll also find the clinic will be the dumping ground for the kids nobody else wants to deal with.

All in a day's work.

allnurses Guide · Oct 8, 2015

Yes, that is very common. The nurse I replaced warned me about that.

In my district, I'm the only medical person in a sea of educational folks.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

I hope you put these people in their place.

100kids, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

Unfortunately it's very common. Just take a deep breath and do your thing! Don't let them tell you how to do your job. You know what you're doing. I have found it has gotten better over time as the teachers and support staff here have learned my style. The kids and teachers know I'm tough and have come to trust my calls over the years. As they have seen the things I catch before they are a problem or the ways I intervene to help their students be able to attend school the more they defer to me on everything medical. The first year is always tough because you're getting to know the job, they're getting to know you etc. Give it a little time, stand your ground when needed and hopefully it will get better.

OldDude · Oct 8, 2015

You bet! Stand your ground. I have, over the years, sent out the same email reminding/informing staff they could be held personally responsible for the consequences of a health related involvement by them if the Registered Nurse has not been consulted, And of course that responsibility would then flow up to the campus principal; principals don't like to hear that. And, my standard response to staff who say to me, "I have a problem with that.".....my response is always, "Yes you do." - followed by silence.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Oct 8, 2015

Sorry you have to deal with this, they are probably testing your fortitude. Be respectful and firm and it will pay back in spades, lots of "thank you for / I value your opinion" will go a long way. Good luck. I am the first school nurse this school has had. The teachers knew me as a parent first, mostly a good thing. They are still in the thankful to have someone else to deal with it phase. Luckily they and the administrators trust me and I am pretty autonomous in my decisions. The parents, on the other hand (again, most I know), can be a handful. I have communicated my desire to not let illness run through the school, the same desire as the teachers. This is easy in a school with a dozen teachers, it will take a little time where there are 100+. Hang in there.

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Oct 8, 2015

I have been doing this for 10 years now at the elementary and middle school level, been at low and high socioeconomic schools. Someone will always think they know your job better than you until they see poop or puke, THEN you are the expert.

All you can do is educate, educate, educate and document, document, document. Usually, the more staff members stick their nose in your job, the bigger chance thay have of getting burned.

For example, I once worked with a PE teacher that was a past army medic. He always took it upon himself to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries. He would use a 12 pound ice bag with no barrier for 50 minutes on a jammed finger, next period the kid would come crying to me pain was bad - got better once I warmed up that finger. Would wrap an ankle with athletic tape. You get the drift. Most of the time the kids would make it to me because his treattment plan hurt them worse than origianal injury. Principal didn't seem to care so I documented like all get out on these kids until the day the kid who never did see me ended up with a fractured wrist. Well, that took care of that problem real quick!

Payback is a..........

crazynursebsn · Oct 8, 2015

And, my standard response to staff who say to me, "I have a problem with that.".....my response is always, "Yes you do." - followed by silence.

mic drop.... :roflmao:

peacockblue · Oct 8, 2015

Get used to it. Nurses just think and see the world differently than educators. It will get better if you stand your ground and they gain your respect. I never did find a way to tolerate elementary staff though. That is why I work high school. Much better environment. At least for me.

Skips, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2015

I am a pushover by nature. I know I could do a better job of standing my ground. I will definitely need to get used to factual answers backing up my stances on things. I'm better at talking to parents than teachers at this point. Thank you for letting me vent!

abc123RN · Oct 9, 2015

I just had one of those teachers bring a student back to me because she didn't agree with my plan. My response was " well the parents agree and want dear little one to stay at school unless there is a change." Student will be fine, we deal with this at least once a week but this particular teacher wasn't aware, and likes to question everything anyway. Honestly I think that teachers live in fear of the parents anymore, fear of law suits.