I know this topic has been posted before...

[NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

But I really need to bounce this off some nurses, not just my hubby (who just tells me to do what I think is best; not very helpful)

Basically, my school has undergone massive administrative changes. While I don't necessarily dislike the administrators, I have gone from two who let me do my nursey thing without interference to two who want to oversee everything. They took it upon themselves to take the list of medical concerns I gave them and make a list of students who needed to leave the building before fire drills based on their assessment (???). The list was massive and ridiculous. Students who have been in the school for four years and have weathered every fire drill in the past are on the list for concerns they will have a problem with the alarm, which isn't new.

That's just one example, but you get the idea. I am not necessarily happy. Now, a second nurse is being added at the middle school. I am K-4, this would be 7-8. The nurse already there, who I will be working alongside, has been my mentor for the last 3 years and we work quite well together. She gets me. She is a phenomenal school nurse and I could probably learn a lot working with her. Plus, another nurse to work with? Amazing.

But it is an open position which means I will have to apply and interview and my principal will probably know that I am doing that. If I don't get it I will be stuck with a principal who knows I want to leave. Plus my kids are at my school and I would have to make all sorts of arrangements for them. But no worse than before I worked at the school.

I just...need to know what this looks like from the outside. Am I being silly for wanting to leave at all? Are my reasons to stay silly? I mean, about 750 students between two nurses is not too bad. I currently have 515. And it's bigger kids which might be nice.

Who has made that switch, from elementary to junior high?

[grammy1]

I'd go in a heartbeat. I worked under a micro-managing principal for 5 years and I was absolutely miserable. I didn't realize how much it was affecting me, not only emotionally, but physically. The year that I decided I was going to resign, she was let go. I swore I would never put myself through that again. I'm not in a perfect situation but so much better. I'm in a better place emotionally and the constant headaches and nausea are no longer there.

Do what's going to be best for you.

[OldDude]

If you think you'd like working with the older kids go for it; an absolute legitimate reason to make a move. Your current administration can suck rocks. Besides, the worst case scenario is you won't get the position and you stay long enough for your current admin to move on.

As "they" so, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Good Luck. Keep us posted.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

If you think you'd like working with the older kids go for it; an absolute legitimate reason to make a move. Your current administration can suck rocks. Besides, the worst case scenario is you won't get the position and you stay long enough for your current admin to move on.

As "they" so, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Good Luck. Keep us posted.

This. I've outlasted a change of admins.

Middle school, however, is a special place in school nursing. I love it, but those kids still drive me crazy some days. And it is the age group I do the most amount of suicide and self-harm evaluations with (thankfully alongside my awesome counselor).

But the chance to work with a nurse you jive with? I'd go for it and try! When I first got into school nursing, I worked as a long term sub with another school nurse in a elementary/middle school (total amount of kids ~1400, so two full time nurses). She was amazing and I learned so much from her. It was so nice having a colleague there.

[caliotter3]

Micromanagement sucks the soul out of a good employee. Go now while a good chance (and reason) presents itself.

[NurseBeans, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

After a lot of hand-wringing and nail-biting, I just finished the application.

School nursing positions around here are extremely hard to fill, so I know I won't have much (if any) competition, also the nurse there would really like to have me come work with her. I won't be able to leave my current position until they hire and I train a new nurse, so hopefully someone drops out of the sky to fill the spot. I have a few parents that are nurse so here's hoping.