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.
I've been a school nurse for almost two years now and I'm leaving at the end of this school year (moving back to my hometown). I am torn about it, some days more than others. This is the first job I've ever had where I worked Mon-Fri and had weekends, holidays, etc. off. Love having the entire summer off. I love being where my kids are and love the flexibility of having them with me after school if need be. I LOVE the kids and I'll miss seeing them and talking to them every day. Love those relationships I've built. I love the autonomy.
But, the pay is so poor. I work PRN at the hospital every other Saturday and make about half of what I make in a month at the school in those two days. I don't really want to continue working two jobs to make up the difference. I miss working three 12 hour shifts. I miss being around other nurses. I can't stand how (especially lately) I feel very devalued by administration (never in the know about medical conditions--finding out after the fact, not consulted, even though I could make a difference...but boy, I'll know about it if Jr. wet his pants and needs a change of clothes or he stinks and needs a talking to!)--and this is probably the thing driving me away the most. I miss the respect!
Of course the grass is always greener...haha. I think at a later date and in a different school system, I'd revisit school nursing. Benefits/retirement can't be beat, really.
I also feel like I could have written this post! I had recently wrote my own post about how much I am struggling as a school nurse. I too do not like working 5 days a week. Yes the holidays off ect are nice but as a PRN nurse I didn't work many holidays anyway. I would always choose new years day so all the younger nurses could enjoy their party night! I too do not like being the only medical personnel in the building. I have middle school aged twins, and I am working in a middle school. I find the loose discipline in the public school system frustrating. I am thinking of going back to my old job, but like you There must be a reason I left right?? I am in constant back and forth in my brain and I wish I could decide. I haven't had a summer off yet so I haven't been able to weigh that yet.
I do remember 3 12's in the hospital is brutal. I haven't been full time in the hospital for a few years. I did however do PRN 2 12's (approx.) a week plus I worked at a preop surgicenter about once a week and that was an 8 hour shift. PRN is so much better than tis 5 days a week exhaustion for sure! However I hit 40 this year and what if I have to have surgery or something....
I have also thought about trying another type of nursing, but I just feel so unsure of my decisions. So basically I am of no help to you, however I feel ya!!
I've never worked the floors and never want to. I love this job. It snowed and I did not have to go to work (I stink at driving in the snow)! I love having weekends and the summer is the best. I also love the kids and getting to know them and see them grow.
The money? Sometimes I do think about that. I do. But I worked the M-F schedule before nursing school (in education at the college level) and like it and am used to it.
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.
I kinda feel that this is why I like Public School so much.
Every one of these comments is exactly how I feel. I love school nursing, but feel I want something more. The policies in the school where I am are clear as mud. I went into school nursing with little clinical experience, thought in nursing school that this is what I wanted to do. If I went to a hospital, I would probably have to start in the "New Grad" program. I like the weekends and holidays off. So torn! I think my next step is to change districts to see if it is better in the burbs.
Holken 99 ....Now your post could also be written by me because I also go back and forth and can't seem to make up my mind. I can tell you I don't work another job and I do enjoy the summers off !! They are nice :). Sometimes though I do feel like I could do a little something but eventually I don't . It's too hard working 5 days and running my kids everywhere to pick up a per firm job. I think a surgicenter would be nice . I also have thought about something new but you know how that goes .. I wish I could just decide. My worst fear us giving up the school and saying " what did I do!" However I can picture myself back in an OR and feeling like I am home too.
Every one of these comments is exactly how I feel. I love school nursing, but feel I want something more. The policies in the school where I am are clear as mud. I went into school nursing with little clinical experience, thought in nursing school that this is what I wanted to do. If I went to a hospital, I would probably have to start in the "New Grad" program. I like the weekends and holidays off. So torn! I think my next step is to change districts to see if it is better in the burbs
Every one of these comments is exactly how I feel. I love school nursing, but feel I want something more. The policies in the school where I am are clear as mud. I went into school nursing with little clinical experience, thought in nursing school that this is what I wanted to do. If I went to a hospital, I would probably have to start in the "New Grad" program. I like the weekends and holidays off. So torn! I think my next step is to change districts to see if it is better in the burbs
I miss the money and the camaraderie of other nurses. However, I stay on per diem and use that to pick up extra shifts when I want the extra cash (AKA Disney money :)). I love having school breaks off, I don't have to worry about childcare now, and have minimal dealings with hospital management since I mainly pick up weekend shifts. For me, I'm far happier here at school than I was for my last few years of hospital nursing. Good luck with whatever you decide!!
Specializes in family practice and school nursing.
Been doing school nursing for a long time. There have been a lot of changes.. not for the better. Less discipline new clueless management, doing more with less. But I love the kids, the schedule, the benefits, the retirement, but NOT the money! Will probably stay put, but I work a little on the side for a change of pace.
cynmrn
124 Posts
I've been a school nurse for almost two years now and I'm leaving at the end of this school year (moving back to my hometown). I am torn about it, some days more than others. This is the first job I've ever had where I worked Mon-Fri and had weekends, holidays, etc. off. Love having the entire summer off. I love being where my kids are and love the flexibility of having them with me after school if need be. I LOVE the kids and I'll miss seeing them and talking to them every day. Love those relationships I've built. I love the autonomy.
But, the pay is so poor. I work PRN at the hospital every other Saturday and make about half of what I make in a month at the school in those two days. I don't really want to continue working two jobs to make up the difference. I miss working three 12 hour shifts. I miss being around other nurses. I can't stand how (especially lately) I feel very devalued by administration (never in the know about medical conditions--finding out after the fact, not consulted, even though I could make a difference...but boy, I'll know about it if Jr. wet his pants and needs a change of clothes or he stinks and needs a talking to!)--and this is probably the thing driving me away the most. I miss the respect!
Of course the grass is always greener...haha. I think at a later date and in a different school system, I'd revisit school nursing. Benefits/retirement can't be beat, really.