I'm Feeling Overwhelmed and Underappreciated

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Long vent session:

School hasn't even started yet, and I feel so overwhelmed. The area where my office is in has been under construction over summer. It was supposed to be done by the time I got back for prep week. Nope. I've had no access to my office AND they decided to use my office as a warehouse for construction supplies. Chunks of vinyl have been taken out of my cots due to mistreatment. Everything is covered in dust. So much of my supplies are ruined. There is at least $2,000 worth of damage. School starts Monday and my office is a hazardous site. I can't get in without a mask due to the thick layers of dry wall dust. There are outlets with wires sticking out of them on the floor of my office.

I got in to do inventory, and I am out of almost everything. Even if I put in an order now I won't get it in time for school to start.

I usually use prep week to (kindly) sort ALL of the forms parents send in--medical, bus forms, lunch forms, PE forms, club forms, etc. I didn't this year because I don't even have anywhere to work. I've been working out of the student library. Now I'm getting teachers who are upset that the forms aren't sorted...even though this isn't my job...I just usually do it because it's the quickest way to get my medical forms.

Thanks for listening!

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

What a tough way to start the new year! I'm so sorry that your office is being used and abused that way. Hopefully it will be done by the time the kids start, otherwise where you will work??? (Hugs)

Wow, that sounds like a terrible way to start the year. Is admin aware of all the damage that has been caused? So sorry you are dealing with that.

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

I'm sorry you are going through this. Of course the clinic is the perfect place to store things and make into a construction zone b/c the clinic is the last place other staff think is need until it's needed.

I'm sorry the teacher don't feel your pain and be a little more understanding about the dilemma your in. They could be sweethearts and pitch in a help you, especially since it's not your job the begin with.

HUGS!!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Holy H-E-doublehockeysticks.

WHelp - sorting forms is not a priority. They are likely upset because they don't notice when you do something, only when something is undone.

I would make sure that admin and nursing services knew exactly what was going on, your timeline for getting all the paperwork straightened, etc.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

It's just little ol' me here at a private school, so admin is aware but no supervisor to make aware. I was told I "need" to work out of my office Monday, so I bagged up all of my stuff, tucked it away in cupboards and said I can only work out of there if the dust is gone. The cots will be duct taped. They spend...gosh I'd imagine $50k-$100k on the "improvement" of the office area just to have a nurse's office that's duct taped together. Parents will love it. "Elite" private school covered in duct tape and dust.