If you had to choose...

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Specializes in M.Ed., BSN, CSN.

Would you pick high school or elementary school age to work with and WHY?

Thanks for your input and Happy Nurses Week!

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High schools probably have less per capita visits than elementary schools. Pretty subjective, depends on your preference for actually immature, or denying maturity.

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Specializes in School nursing.

And of course, there's middle school. I've worked all three and middle school has the most visits, by far, in my experience.

And I will take the older ones over the younger ones every day of the week. Sure, the younger kids draw me pictures and give more gifts (of all kinds), but I love watching HS students graduate and grow. So much growth happens in those teen years. I can play hardball with HS kids (and MS, to be honest) and sometimes that is what is needed :).

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Specializes in school nurse.

Middle School: losing the cuteness, gaining the attitude!!!

Elementary School: good chance to make an impression with health teaching, occasionally too cute for words

High School: better able to be reasoned with, but more intense social pressures

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Specializes in kids.

High school. all day. Every day!!

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High School. The issues are usually bigger, but I like the 'tudes, and the generous kids floor me every time.

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Junior High or High School. I love the littles, but only on an occasional basis. I don't have the patience for that on a daily basis anymore.

Also, I'm a sarcastic, tough love kind of person, doesn't fit well with elementary.

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Specializes in School nursing.
High School. The issues are usually bigger, but I like the 'tudes, and the generous kids floor me every time.

Yes, they do. A gesture from a HS kid is treasured because I know that thank you - in any form - is genuine and not forced. They are very special to me.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

In summer camp, I work with the littles (3rd grade and up). I end up leaving there swearing NEVER AGAIN because they don't know what meds they take and they throw up on your shoes.

At the end of my high school year I leave fed up with the eye rolling and the endless visits by young ladies to my "girl stuff" drawer every month.

But at the beginning of each, I start out full of appreciation by the change in my work environment. If I have to choose, I pick high school. They lie to you but if you keep digging you'll get the real story. And ditto to what previous posters said...a Thank You is genuine from them.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I have done both elementary and high school. Hands down, I would pick high school. As said previously, less visits, you can reason with them, and you can joke around with them. I would say 99% of my students are very polite and courteous, saying please and thank you.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

When I got hired I had the choice between high school and elementary. Of course I immediately shouted out, "elementary!" Those guys have yet to develop the social baggage as high schoolers, and since I'm such a simpleton, I usually don't have to put that into the equation. Of course now that 5th grade has been added to elementary in our district I'm starting to see more attitudes and social stuff and MENSTRUAL CYCLES!!:woot:

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When I got hired I had the choice between high school and elementary. Of course I immediately shouted out, "elementary!" Those guys have yet to develop the social baggage as high schoolers, and since I'm such a simpleton, I usually don't have to put that into the equation. Of course now that 5th grade has been added to elementary in our district I'm starting to see more attitudes and social stuff and MENSTRUAL CYCLES!!:woot:

I saw that throwback pic of you on FB with the little girl getting the shot. Soooo cute!

The girl was adorbs, too.

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