I just can't

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

**This is a in the moment, frustration to the point of tears, rant or vent or melt down**

I give up! I just can't! I am tired of feeling like I'm being manipulated by an elementary school student. I feel like I have failed before I was even given a chance to try. I am sitting at my desk, shutting down, and fighting back tears. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this. Maybe I need to walk away now. Maybe I can find a job in a quilt shop, cutting fabric. I have serious doubts about being able to make it the next 40 days until the end of the year.

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Deep breaths. This too shall pass. If this particular student is an issue (while I don't know the details) I recommend having another adult in the room whenever this child is in your office. Someone to help call them on their sh!t or to be a witness for "my word against the child's" situation.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
3 minutes ago, kidzcare said:

Deep breaths. This too shall pass. If this particular student is an issue (while I don't know the details) I recommend having another adult in the room whenever this child is in your office. Someone to help call them on their sh!t or to be a witness for "my word against the child's" situation.

You got this, Bunny. Disengage from the drama. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. While it's fresh, document everything that happened on a legal pad and keep it for future reference. You'll learn from this and I promise, next year it won't matter.

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I'm sorry. We've all been there in some form I am sure. Hang in there. 40 days...

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

You can do this! Maybe give us a quick rundown of what's going on & we can help you put a stop to it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

OK girl...that's enough of that! When you find yourself in an emotional hole - stop digging! Not enough details to be specific but when the kid comes in, dial the parent and hand him/her the phone... let them work it out. Don't engage or have any suggestions. Report only what you see or hear and disregard any subjective information. You've wrung yourself out over it enough. You can't fix it - just forget about it and move on.

There are kids and parents I absolutely despise but they are who they are and there's nothing I can do about it other than adapt and overcome as to how I deal with them professionally.

You can and you will get this!!

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You've got this! 40 more days. I love the advice of the poster above - write it all down while it's fresh. Then, once it's dumped out on paper, breathe deep and let it go for today.

We've all been there.

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Specializes in Community and Public Health, Addictions Nursing.

Fellow fabric junkie here- if you get that quilt shop job, let me know! Would love to join you.

But really- we have all been there with the same feelings you're feeling right now, and you've got a big ole pile of hearts being sent your way from all of us.

Never forget that the child is just that- a child. And you are an adult. And as the adult, you always have the upper hand, even if you don't see that right now. Like others have said, disengage from the drama. Get a back-up to help you out. Turf it to the parents. Document your patootie off. Just like the probably thousands of other times you've been in a school nurse pickle, you're gonna get out of this pickle barrel, too.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I have found if I try to find some commonality with the student that drives me crazy, I can move on. Otherwise I fake it. Don't let an elementary child lead you into a defeated mess.

I too want to better understand the situation to give more specific advice.

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I'm sorry that you're going through this. Hang in there. This job is mentally draining. Some days moreso than others. Can you get out of your office and go for a quick walk around the building? Or, better yet, can you step outside for a minute or two to breathe in some fresh air?

40. More. Days. You can do this!!!

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

I'm so sorry! Take some time for you, even just a few moments.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I am sorry you are going through this. **Hugs** Hang in there.

There are 100s of other kids on that campus who need and love you.

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