Has anyone left school nursing? If so did you regret it?

Specialties School

Published

This is my forth year as a school nurse. The first year it was great! Awesome schedule, autonomy, summers off! I was an OR nurse so not having to take call was great. That being said it wasn't a year later that I started to miss the OR. Don't get me wrong, the school job is ok but I hate the 5 day workweek. As a mom of two school aged kids I have zero time to keep up on the mom duties of house and home. So my weekend is tied up getting everything done and not enjoying it with my family. I can tell you right now if it wasn't for the summer off I would not have chosen this field. I def do it for the schedule. I do not enjoy being the " tag your it factor" when anything and everything arises. Not so much the medical emergencies but when it's deciding how urgent. Should I have mom take to doctor or call rescue etc.

dont get me wrong I know the grass isn't always greener, i wouldn't have left if it was perfect right.

i just can't shake the feeling of looking for something better. Thinking if I could make the same money working 3 days would it be a good switch. I wouldn't have the whole summer off but a lot of days to spend with my kids. Also when they get older and don't want to be with mom anymore....I def don't need the whole summer off. I want to add my husband is a teacher so he is off so childcare is not an issue.

Looking to see if anyone else has felt like this and if you left did you regret it? I know school nurse jobs are hard to get so I don't want to give it up until I'm sure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm thinking about it now. The money in NY is just awful, and I miss sticking people with needles.

Then again, I'm going to be 50...someday, then 60. Do I really want to be on the floors?

ETA: I should have started this job when I turn 50, or even 55. I'm in my 40s and working 2 jobs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I could have written the post myself. I've been in school nursing for 2 years now and I feel the same way. My husbands military and I have 3 kids so the schedule is nice.

I really hate being the only nurse in the building and being the only medical person too.

I definitely understand about the days off too, it's hard getting everything done on the weekend and still having down time with your family.

On the other hand, it's pretty low stress, the holiday vacations and summers are really nice. I'll probably stay for a couple more years while my kids are in school.

Some days I definitely feel like I could use more of challenge though and I also worry about what kind of job I'll be able to find after this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can see myself in school nursing forever. This is my 5th year and I love the schedule, the autonomy, and the benefits. It is not what I pictured when I went to nursing school and the money could be A LOT better (I work another job as well since the pay is so awful).

I never had a "calling" to nursing. I could easily give up traditional bedside nursing. I could be on the administrative side and do paperwork all day. I work so that I can get paid and enjoy my off time. I forget the day the second I walk out the door.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, professor, OBGYN.

The main thing I hate about school nursing is the 5 days per week.

The positive is I get off at 330pm, off every weekend, off every holiday. We also get vacation days if you need to use them.

My kids will be able to go to work with me because I work in an elementary, so I won't miss all of their school stuff while they are young. They are 2 and 5 now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love school nursing. I would eventually like to teach nursing somewhere, but if that doesn't happen. I will be the school nurse forever. The benefits of summer's off, snow days off, nights, weekends and holidays off, 401K, health insurance, PTO, Sick leave. I couldn't give that up. I don't have someone harping on my every move. I love the kids I work with, the staff are growing on me. I feel I am where I am supposed to be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, professor, OBGYN.

I was a school nurse in a private school from 2005-2009. I quit when I got married in 2009, so I could work part time in the hospital and start a family. I then did some adjunct professor work to get experience in that.

I started this year as a school nurse in public school now that my boys are 2 and 5. I miss private school nursing, but public school nursing has perks too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, professor, OBGYN.
I love school nursing. I would eventually like to teach nursing somewhere, but if that doesn't happen. I will be the school nurse forever. The benefits of summer's off, snow days off, nights, weekends and holidays off, 401K, health insurance, PTO, Sick leave. I couldn't give that up. I don't have someone harping on my every move. I love the kids I work with, the staff are growing on me. I feel I am where I am supposed to be.

I agree! I do adjunct professor work in the summer. it is great and laid back and quick extra money! I did not like being a fulltime professor, but adjunct is amazing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I miss private school nursing, but public school nursing has perks too.

What differences are there between public and private?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, professor, OBGYN.
What differences are there between public and private?

Private does not have ARD, 504, IEP, PPCD, AA, and all of those state political things. Private is more laid back, and follows their own rules and schedule, not state rules.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know at times I have misgivings about doing this job. I like it a lot, but I make about 1/3 of what I made at the hospital. Sometimes that is hard to justify. And like you, I only worked a few days a week.

At this time, fiscally it is working for us. BUT if something changed with my husband's job, I would have to go back to where the money is.

I guess my point is, I understand.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know at times I have misgivings about doing this job. I like it a lot, but I make about 1/3 of what I made at the hospital. Sometimes that is hard to justify. And like you, I only worked a few days a week.

^^ This!

Sometimes I feel crazy working 2 jobs for less than I was making working 1 and receiving no child support... but then I remember the summer and seeing my kids play in the ocean and going to the pool 4 days a week and the guaranteed retirement. I am very frugal and we survive just fine with plenty of room in the budget to have fun.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment