Lunch/break question

[EPIC_nurse]

So I'm supposed to have a 30 minute lunch break each day and I have been struggling to make that happen. I have tried sending a schedule of when I'll be in/out of the nurse's office to all of the staff. I've tried posting a schedule on my door with my lunch break written on there. I've tried leaving and trying to eat in the teacher's lounge. But I NEVER get my break! They search me out and call for me on the radio and do everything in their power to get me for the littlest things (nosebleeds, tummy aches, etc.) Today I sat in my office while they pounded on the door and ignored them (other than the non-emergent call from an admin about a parent that needed a form...). Any suggestions for what has worked for you? This not eating definitely makes me grumpy in the afternoons LOL

[mom to many]

Jedrnurse said:

Are you covered by a contract? If so, it might be a union issue. Also, 95 students a day?? About what percentage of the visits are legit?

I am considered an "at will" employee. I sign a letter of "reasonable assurance" for each year that I work. As for as legit visits, honestly only about half or a little more are really legit. I have tried over and over to talk to the teachers and principals about this. It seems to be falling on deaf ears. Being the only medical person on campus, no one really GETS what my job really involves. To them, I'm just here to put band aides on imaginary injuries

[peacockblue]

Elementary is tough. One of the schools I travel to is an elementary with just under 400 students. It's easy to see 60+ students a day. That is counting the same student who comes down 5 times for the chapped lips. I never eat lunch when I work elementary. I eat lunch when I am at the high school, but I eat with students in my office. Don't get to leave. And if I try to leave, the principal hunts me down. This is with a union. I could grieve it, but don't feel like making waves.

[kidzcare]

mom to many said:

I typically see about 95 students a day.

How many students do you have in your school? When I started at my current school, 60-80 kids were coming down a day. I learned that the previous nurse was much more lenient than I am. Within a month, I was down to about 40 students per day. You may need to be more strict.

peacockblue said:

That is counting the same student who comes down 5 times for the chapped lips.

This is with a union. I could grieve it, but don't feel like making waves.

Address this student with the teacher. Each visit to your office is costing instructional time as well as disrupting the learning environment for the other students.

I would grieve it. But I do totally understand about making waves... It's a hard situation.

[mom to many]

kidzcare said:

How many students do you have in your school? When I started at my current school, 60-80 kids were coming down a day. I learned that the previous nurse was much more lenient than I am. Within a month, I was down to about 40 students per day. You may need to be more strict.

Address this student with the teacher. Each visit to your office is costing instructional time as well as disrupting the learning environment for the other students.

I would grieve it. But I do totally understand about making waves... It's a hard situation.

I have 840 students, I am at a Pre-K thru 2nd grade campus.