frustrated school RN being called an assistant

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 21, 2008

You're an RN who earns less than $15 hourly? Most LPNs are being paid more generously than that.

You're being referred to as an assistant? That would be demeaning to plenty of people. Why do you even remain at this place of employment? Are the hours more conducive to your current life stage?

I'd run (not walk) away from this workplace.

jjjoy, LPN · May 21, 2008

Does your job/role require an RN license? I am aware of school health aide positions that do NOT require licensure of any kind. If that is the role you are filling, then that is likely the going pay rate. In that case, you are overqualified for the position and by accepting that job role, you accept the pay that comes with it. If you truly are filling an assistant's role, then one would have to wonder why you are doing the "same things" the school nurse does. Is the school taking advantage of having an RN as an assistant as opposed to someone without licensure? Does the school nurse delegate to you work that should really be hers since she is the one hired as the "school nurse" and is getting the full pay for that role? Are you willingly choosing to do the same work for less pay because it's a good experience and you'd rather do that than only do non-licensed assistant work?

You can always try to ask for a raise or a re-evaluation of the job description and pay scale. Still, they might decide it's easier to just hire a non-licensed person into that role. Or maybe I've misinterpretted what role you were hired into.

mitzi · May 21, 2008

I'm in my 17th year at the school and the reason I stay is that I work 5 hrs' a day and now that my kids are grown, it works out well for me. But I gotta tell ya...it's so very frustrating. We are called health room assistants and we are in the same union as playground aides and secretaries. There are secretaries with the same time in or less that make more than me. In addition, up until this last contract, the RN that started last year came in at the same salary as I make after 17 yrs. We were put in this union years ago because the certifieds didn't want us in the teachers union with them. The certifieds seem to be very threatened when any discussion is initiated re: this matter. I know it's because everyone realizes we can do and DO do exactly what they do for a fraction of the cost to the district. Can you read between the lines here? If the powers that be begin to realize this then the certifieds feel it's a matter of time before they are gone. Every time the health room assistants bring this up we are told that we have it better than school districts elsewhere and in some cases we do but I don't feel that's the answer. What is going on just isn't right. They are not comparing apples to apples. Any suggestions out there????

mitzi · May 21, 2008

I'm a registered nurse from a diploma program. I have my professional nursing license. In our district we have a medicine treatment sheet approved by our school physician and signed off on yearly by parents via the emergency card. If a child comes in for treatment or medication...Tylenol, robitussin, advil, benadryl, dimetapp, they are evaluated and given the proper response. This is within my scope of practice. I can't very well call my superior every time a child comes in for her input. I am not doing anything my license wouldn't permit. I do screenings, set them up, interact with parents and teachers re: situations of concern, inservice teachers on food allergies/epi-pen, treat staff members, make up health records, document immunizations, and in my job description it says...and other functions as designated by the school nurse. And that phrase covers anything else that they see fit as long as it's in the scope of practice.

mitzi · May 21, 2008

My job description DOES require that I am a registered nurse

justme1972 · May 22, 2008

I think the "assistant" title and the fact you only work 5 hour-days with benefits is the reason for the low pay.

Secretaries at my school showed up an hour before school started and stayed about an hour after. It was an 8 to 9 hour day easily.

I'm all about job stability, and I live in a rural area, but to give you an idea of comparison, the pay for a STUDENT extern at the hospital is $12.00 an hour.

To me you are only working 20 hours a week...heck, I would rather work 3-12 hour shifts at a local hospital and triple my paycheck.

mitzi · May 22, 2008

I have no benefits

Jolie, BSN · May 22, 2008

Hi All I'm a registered nurse working under a certified school nurse. I do the same things she does with no benefits and $14.95 and hr. while she is on the same scale as a teacher. I don't want her salary or benefits, but I think I deserve more than I make. I'm called an assistant/aide but I work independent of her. I need some input from those of you in the same position. No :bluecry1:one responded to my previous request for info.

What you are describing is not at all unusual in school nursing. I'm not saying that it is right, just fairly common.

Many states restrict the title of "school nurse" to those who hold school nurse certification. Being certified as a school nurse puts the nurse on the same level and pay scale as teachers. Uncertified RNs and LPNs are typically referred to as "health aides" and receive pay and benefits comparable to non-teaching support staff.

I agree it is demeaning to accept the title of "assistant", so I am curious as to why you accepted the job under those conditions?

mitzi · May 22, 2008

I accepted years ago because I wanted to be available for my kids activities and the schedule fit. Also, when you are new, you don't have the same perspective as when you have been in a job and really see how things are. I am trying to change things for the better and just because things are this way doesn't mean they are right or that they have to continue. What's right is that this is changed for the future and that people realize that we provide the same services as the certifieds in my district.

Fiona59 · May 22, 2008

I think the "assistant" title and the fact you only work 5 hour-days with benefits is the reason for the low pay.
Secretaries at my school showed up an hour before school started and stayed about an hour after. It was an 8 to 9 hour day easily.
I'm all about job stability, and I live in a rural area, but to give you an idea of comparison, the pay for a STUDENT extern at the hospital is $12.00 an hour.
To me you are only working 20 hours a week...heck, I would rather work 3-12 hour shifts at a local hospital and triple my paycheck.

Many mothers want to work these hours and would run screaming from 12 hour shifts. The wage quoted is below what a new grad PN makes in my province.

The OP needs to start documenting exactly what she and others in the same job are doing and then write a comparison compared to the "nurse". Take it to your union steward and demand that they negotiate a better package for you. Your union collects your dues and is supposed to work FOR you. You may have enough aides/rns in your position to justify a separate bargaining unit within your union.

Now go do something.

justme1972 · May 22, 2008

Many mothers want to work these hours and would run screaming from 12 hour shifts. The wage quoted is below what a new grad PN makes in my province.
The OP needs to start documenting exactly what she and others in the same job are doing and then write a comparison compared to the "nurse". Take it to your union steward and demand that they negotiate a better package for you. Your union collects your dues and is supposed to work FOR you. You may have enough aides/rns in your position to justify a separate bargaining unit within your union.
Now go do something.

Is she a part of a union?

Nurses unions are a hit or miss here in the states. They are unheard of in my area of the USA, but I know they are very prevalent in other areas of the country...I have no idea about Canada.

Also, getting a union started here in the states is a very risky venture. While technically, under the letter of the law, you cannot fire employees for trying to unionize, it's also very easy for corporations, with the majority of states allowing employers to have at-will employees, to legally find another manufactured reason to get rid of you.