Need Help QUICK .Are you responsible for getting sub coverage

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Hi All. I am really hoping for feedback before I meet with administration and HR tomorrow. I work as the Lead nurse for a Collaborative. We have medically fragile, autistic spectrum and behavioral students. I have over 10 years of school nursing in public and Collaborative school. I have been at this job 10 weeks and already feel my mental health as well as my license are in jeopardy. Administration is very adversarial and challenging me when I inform them of our state laws regarding many issues. Anyways..I digress. I was just informed that I am expected to be responsible for finding and arranging substitute coverage for our schools. Are any of you required to do this? Also I was told I need to arrange coverage for "transportation" bus nurse. I point blank refused.There is no time. I pass 25-30 meds a day while dealing with all the "usual" medically fragile,seizure, behavioral issues.

Any feedback would be really appreciated.

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I do not. I do have a sub I prefer, and will call her first if need be, but no, the front office is responsible.

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Yes, I have to find my own subs and it is a real challenge. We don't have many on the list, and most have other PT jobs so they rarely are available.

That is why I would only call out if I had the plague. It's ridiculous. Really the only part of my job that is not optimal.

I don't feel you should have to find a transportation nurse.

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No, I am not responsible for finding my own coverage. My administrators ask that I try and give them as much notice as possible (preferably by 9PM the day before, but do understand about emergencies). You don't pay or contract the subs, so I'm not sure why you would be responsible for finding one.

Now I'm biased, but I've also never worked in a job where I have had to find my own coverage regardless, and I generally think it's a little absurd because that's what management should be for.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

It is only me in my district, but yes, I am expected to find my replacement. Even if I am sick, I am to call our subs first (I only have 2). I haven't run into a problem yet, but the office/principals will help me out if I am in a jam. We have med aides on staff and I imagine it would be a combo of them covering med times if there was absolutely no one.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

You're responsible only if this was discussed or included in a pre-employment agreement and you acknowledged the responsibility; otherwise your duties would be implied as to how they would align with the position industry standard. Now, if you accepted the position under the premise that you would be considered the "Manager" of the department, it would be implied this would be one of your responsibilities. So, it's according to your employment agreement.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

I am not responsible for this. We are a large district, and have a nursing supervisor who will try to arrange for a sub, but sometimes cannot, and another nurse will be on call for our buildings.

Transportation RN's would fall under the spec ed dept here... they handle all the 1:1 RN's, transportation nurses, etc (which are agency nurses).

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Specializes in School nursing.

If I know I am going to be out (i.e. personal day), I do arrange my own sub. But it is hard and I often do not take a personal day if I cannot find a sub.

I do have a sub list that my boss can call if I am sick and unable to do so. The likelihood of getting a sub in with short notice is very low, however, so the front office manages emergencies only that day and I have a typed plan in place for scheduled medication and who does it in that instance.

Transportation? Nope. If someone needs 1:1 nursing all the time (including during busing), that is not my responsibility. It is the school's and that usually involves an agency and the 1:1 nurse is not a direct district/school employee.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Let us know how it turns out

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Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

if I know ahead I will try to call my regular sub, but if not then the office/supervisors need to find coverage

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Lake- Sorry, I am not much help. I go to 3 different districts (4 buildings). I don't have subs, since my secretaries and adm. cover my office when I am in another district.

But, I wanted to wish you good luck with this dilemma/concern. I hope we can provide you with support and encouragement and help you through this.

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

We are WAY low on subs in our district. We actually have 2 subs. One will be here full time for 3 months after my coworker gives birth. Which could seriously be any second. She's due Friday. The other sub has been super busy and unavailable when we have needed her. Definitely not available for short term, and even difficult to have her cover when we know in advance we will be out.

I can call, but I tend to leave that for the business office to secure coverage. Especially if I have to call in sick.

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