Happy Nurse's week.... I guess

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

Just need a safe space to place my frustration and growing sadness.

This week is teacher's appreciation week, and I get it... teachers greatly outnumber us in the building. Teachers are getting lunches, picnics, gifts, etc. every day this week. But Nurse's week is the 6th-12th this year and NO mention of it has been made at my campus.  Counselors got their week, assistant principals had treats and gifts catered in for them, even school clerks got their appreciation day.  But me, the nurse?  I'm a background character I suppose. 

The cherry-- a counselor just sent a school-wide email that reads: "Not only are you the teacher, but the co-parent, the parent, the nurse, the confidant, the advisor, and so much more." 

That's funny... I don't recall any of our teachers having any inkling of knowledge about the pandemic we weathered this year; the one that school nurses were at the forefront of.  I didn't see any teachers providing sick care to kids throughout the year.  

I've been subtly trying to remind a few administrators that our week is nearly here, not in a way that says "hey don't forget to recognize me!" because I think that's tacky, but wow I just wish someone would say "thank you" especially after the year we've had.  ?

Is anyone else's school doing anything to celebrate you this week?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I'll be surprised...

[ihavealltheice]

Not that I'm aware of. I don't mind it though because I'm perfectly happy remaining in the background and flying under the radar LOL!

 

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I'm usually lumped in along with the teachers.  On a rare occasion, I'll have a parent make a special recognition.  I agree with I havealltheice - I don't mind it

[BeckyESRN]

I got a card from social committee on Administrative Assistants' Day because "We won't remember you if we don't give it to you today"? Thanks...I guess

I grabbed cards at Dollar Tree to send to my fellow nurses. We always remember one another

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Our school celebrates Teacher's Appreciation Week by celebrating all staff, so I get lumped in that way. The PTO does all the arrangements and makes sure there are enough snacks and treats for every staff person, including the custodians! They make a decorative door sign for all of the professional staff (classroom teachers, principal, special ED teachers, me) and the classroom teachers are entered into daily raffles just for them. There are other raffles that all can enter. 

My first year (which was the 2018-2019 SY), the principal gave me a very nice potted daisy and a card on School Nurse's day (which is 5/12 this year, I think...) and a PTO member made an executive decision to gift me the floral centerpiece from Teacher Appreciation Week, once it was all over, which was nice. Honestly, this is all a heck of a lot better than the free "dinner" and pen we got when I worked in the hospital.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

To be fair, my school doesn't "do" teacher appreciation week, but last year on May 6th our kindergarten teacher rallied some of the elementary classes to make zoom videos of the kids screaming "Happy Nurse's Day!"  I cried like a baby, at home of course.  That teacher left after her maternity leave this year, so I'll probably be entirely ignored like I was the 4 years before that.  Always forgotten...unless I'm trying to eat lunch in peace.  

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

17 minutes ago, BrisketRN said:

 Always forgotten...unless I'm trying to eat lunch in peace.  

???

[guest464345]

Someone did leave a card in my mailbox, just signed "from all your coworkers" basically.  Not totally sure what they did for the teachers.

I have mixed feelings about this kind of stuff - most places where I've worked, the 'recognition' is so patronizing and bordering on sexist.  The classic coffee cup or water bottle or post-it notes with the message in swooshy fonts and pink hearts, "You're so compassionate/giving/selfless/kind.  You're a special angel on earth!" Uggggh. 

I'd like a Starbucks card and a mug extolling my professional knowledge of infection control, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, public speaking, chronic disease management, and improvised first aid  ?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Actually

I got my review from my principal and it was OUTSTANDING!! I think he finally really understands how smart I am and what I bring to the school. He also advise my contract will be available this week as it was approved by the school board, so there is that too!!

And I need it 'cause I did not win Megamillions last night!!

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, NutmeggeRN said:

I think he finally really understands how smart I am and what I bring to the school.

I love that for you!  My principal still thinks I just pass out band aids and tell the AP's when I think a kid is under the influence (I don't). 

[Eleven011]

One year (out of my 6 years here), the SPED department hung a banner outside my office that said "We love our school nurse" and then a bunch of kids signed it.    I really enjoyed that, because it wasn't alot of "in person" attention and I hung the banner up in my office the whole next year.   Other years its been one or two people popping in saying "oh ya, happy nurses day' or some such thing.   Maybe a candy bar and pop treat from admin.   I never know.