Want to get the opinions of those who have been in a similar situation...
I have the opportunity to pursue a 1:1 school nurse position but want to know if it's worth it. I currently work in a hospital on a med surg/tele unit on 12 hr night shifts (7pm to 7am) and i absoulty HATE it. I never get any sleep due to my schedule, I hardly ever see my family and friends, or even get the time to spend with my boyfriend, I'm stressed out, on the verge of depression, constantly feel sick d/t lack of sleep and have had mental break downs due to all these things. I have even called out of work before because of all this and now my boss is threatening to terminate me cause I've done it so many times.
The school nursing position would be M-F, 7:30-2:30pm, and no weekends or holidays. The only downside is that I would be taking about a $18 pay cut... but at this point I'm so miserable, I think it would be worth it in the end for my mental and physical health.
Honestly, my migraines have decreased in frequency, my family and I get along better now, my husband no longer has to do most of the parenting, and I never have to worry about missing holidays. I worked f/t 3-11 shift. I loved the patients, and I loved my coworkers. Even that wasn't enough to make it worthwhile. I miss my old coworkers, but I am way healthier and happier having a sane schedule. I do think it might be worth it to look into general school nursing. I don't know that I could be a 1:1 staff-- the thought of sitting in class all day is not appealing to me. Either way, I'd get out of your current situation before it bites you in the behind. Good luck!
I would definitely look into general/district school nursing, but you have to have your BSN for that. I'm waiting until I have a better job with better hours/schedule before I go back to school.
I can relate with you about your current job. Prior to my current job I was working at a very stressful doctors office, worked 96 hours bi-weekly, the office manager was a bully to patients and myself, she also micromanaged me to the extreme. The office I worked in was a 3 person office, the doctor, office manager, and myself. What made it worse was the office manager is the doctor SIL. The doctor was amazing, the reason why I put up with her poisonous personality for several years. I got to the point were I needed to make a change because my only good day was Saturdays, I was stressed to the point I gave myself an ulcer, and I was on the verge of seeing a doctor for anxiety and depression. I started slowly looking for a new job once I was considering to seek mental help and then I went into full force job search when I got an ulcer. I didn't have the same issues as you with worrying about a pay cut because I do not make an RN salary (I am a Medical Assistant), but I had a lot to think about before accepting the job because my work environment is a lot different and I no longer have a doctor working over me. I lucked out, my school pays me really well - making close to school RN average salary in my area. I work 40 hours a week, I am respected here, very little stress, I love the students, they will help pay for my schooling. I never wanted to work in the hospital, so I am happy I will be able to continue working here when I become a RN.
I would say go for it. If you need more money you can consider becoming a camp nurse during the summer, work during summer school, or find a prn job in a medical facility. Also, school nurse may not be your thing, but a stepping stone to something better. I have been working at the school for a year. Everyday is a good day for me, my GI issues have cleared up, and my mental health did a complete 180. I am so happy I didn't have to go down the path of medication and therapy. Nothing is wrong with medication or therapy but happy that all I needed was a job change.
Money isn't everything but your health is everything!
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,744 Posts
If you are interested in school nursing, which as a regular staff member is usually (I think) better paying, than you may get your foot in the door...