Isolation

Lonely more last year when I had no nurse asst. but I still feel cooped up or hedged in the tiny clinic without many places to roam or see interesting. I guess I do miss the many nurses, not doctors and drama of the floor at the hospital. Even the hospital clinic didn't do for me what the hospital floor did for me. It gave me a wider outlook of the diversed field of Nursing since we often saw the overlap at various times. Like the trauma floor that I worked on maybe had a preg pt that the Ob floor visited or the Cancer floor. The IVs, the pumps, the traction, the labs we ordered, the blood transfusions. But I have to remember that along with that came frustration, stress, bitterness, over assignments, hiding CNA's, understaffing, overload, cutting corners, late meds, frustration, hating my job, etc, hating to be charge, hating to go to work. So then I start to appreciate the tiny clinic, the isolation, the new love, better staffing, the students that could be unhappy pts venting to the manager, the administration, etc. I remember so well the feeling of being overwhelmed. The word itself brings old emotions that I don't care to think about. So I'll take the lower pay, the overbearing school staff, the Summers off, being at home around 4 p.m. The school staff is also tired and ready for school to be out. Just like you had unreasonable patient's families, you will have teachers that are difficult. You handle them and leave for the day. Some teachers will move on to other schools. And if not, you see them as they are. No place will have 100% carefree co-workers. So try to enjoy where you are in life right now. I can surf the Net, read a book, drink some hot chocolate if I want, when the kids leave. I see nothing better right now than school nursing. Not home health, not hospital, not clinics. Been there and done that. Too busy, too hectic and the pay can't make up for my health. Hold on, Spring is almost here!:monkeydance:

It's funny you should say that golilly. I wanted with all my heart the ward routine, the showers and yes even the toileting, because at least then I got fluid therapy, injections and interesting stuff. Maybe it's a case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. I am scared though I will miss the clinical skills I did have but I do like the students and my work team, only work part time and not far away so I guess I'll be there a bit longer. I have found though in same cases I have to trust my own judgement and that seems to be good for me. You expressed my feeling so well when you said you were hankering for some of the other aspects in hospital work and I know just what you mean...plus the pressure>

Make sure you keep in touch and network with other school nurses. Also join a listserv like Martha Bergren has (google schlrn listserv) Also, remember when you're home weekends, holidays, summers, evenings...you could be working in the hospital.