middle school/intermediate

jhlpn · Mar 9, 2016

I hated Middle school level.

iggywench, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

This is my 10th year in intermediate school (5th/6th grade). I was a teacher for 7 years before nursing school, and this is my 3rd year as the school nurse. I think you either love or hate this grade level. I really like certain aspects of it, because they are not babies anymore. However, I am at the point where I would like to try high school. My students seem to be getting more immature by the year, and I relate better to older kids as my own kids get older. Intermediate school has the latest working hours, so I don't get off work until 4:00, and am pretty far from home. That makes for a lot of rushing once I pick up my kids and head into our evening activities. Maybe try substituting or shadowing a nurse for a day before you make the commitment?

txbootsy · Mar 9, 2016

This is my 10th year in intermediate school (5th/6th grade). I was a teacher for 7 years before nursing school, and this is my 3rd year as the school nurse. I think you either love or hate this grade level. I really like certain aspects of it, because they are not babies anymore. However, I am at the point where I would like to try high school. My students seem to be getting more immature by the year, and I relate better to older kids as my own kids get older. Intermediate school has the latest working hours, so I don't get off work until 4:00, and am pretty far from home. That makes for a lot of rushing once I pick up my kids and head into our evening activities. Maybe try substituting or shadowing a nurse for a day before you make the commitment?

thank you

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2016

Tough age group. They start to lose the absolute cuteness of elementary school kiddos, the attitude increases, and they don't have the higher reasoning that high schoolers (should) have.

SnugglePuggle, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2016

I have 7th and 8th graders and I love this age group. This is a big transition for them as they begin to become more independent and responsible for their education. While they are still seeking guidance they are not as needy as the younger kids. I enjoy seeing the growth in a student between 7th and 8th grade, which can be quite dramatic. At this age drugs, STDs and pregnancy are not major issues (at least at my school). The middle schools in my district start the earliest so my day is over at 2:30!

Farawyn · Mar 10, 2016

The 7th and 8th are not my cup of tea, but bettern the littles. I like 9-12.

My school is 7-12.

bell1962 · Mar 10, 2016

I have k-21. Middle schools are my least favorite group

kidzcare · Mar 10, 2016

I like this age group, but I have never worked with another age range. I've had a building with 5th and 6th graders and now I am at a 6/7/8 building.

Little kids are too whiney for me and I think I would not be good at being a high school nurse. I am very naÃ¯ve when it comes to drug use (I would never suspect it) and I don't want to deal with teen pregnancy and the privacy issues surrounding it.

Farawyn · Mar 10, 2016

I like this age group, but I have never worked with another age range. I've had a building with 5th and 6th graders and now I am at a 6/7/8 building.
Little kids are too whiney for me and I think I would not be good at being a high school nurse. I am very naÃ¯ve when it comes to drug use (I would never suspect it) and I don't want to deal with teen pregnancy and the privacy issues surrounding it.

Yes, the older kids give me angst. I like that. :blink:

jesserpie · Mar 10, 2016

This is my first year as a school nurse, although I've been A nurse for a while. Was kind of worried about working in a middle school with 7th and 8th graders based on comments from other people about how horrible that age is. So far, it's been entertaining! I think it was a good place to start because I have fewer students to manage than the lower or higher schools with only two grades and not as many true emergencies as the high school from fights and drugs. Down side is...I think I'll miss the kiddos I've bonded with when they leave after only 2 years:(! I supervise an elementary school also and get to see little ones rarely....they are so cute! :inlove:

hopefulinct · Mar 10, 2016

Iggywench, I laughed when reading your story- I was also a teacher for 7 years prior to nursing school, 4 of those years working with 6th graders. Out of curiosity, how long did you work in nursing before going in to school nursing? This is a long range goal for me. I just started my first job out of nursing school, working in peds. I know I want to take a while to get more confident with my skills before moving on to school nursing (since with school nursing, it seems like you are essentially on your own). What do you like/dislike about school nursing?

Thanks!