New School Nurse: VENT

Specialties School

Published

I have to vent; all my RN friends are in the hospital environment and just don't get it :-(

I have been an RN for almost 10 years and recently started working in an Elementary school in February. The office staff are just plain mean, disrespectful and oftentimes inappropriate. Like I am this huge inconvenience whenever I ask them for records or

assistance etc..

I have been placed in this school and really left to my own devices...it is like on the job self training with a liaison that checks in here and there. Here are my questions, 1. In general, were you given some strong orientation and training for your position? I mean, I know how to be a nurse, but a school nurse not so much. The paperwork, records, immunizations etc takes understanding and instruction. 2 How are your office staff? How do you deal with bad, toxic attitudes? I mean I have taken more heat from Drs and not been this upset! 3. As a new school nurse, how do you fit in? What was your experience as a new school nurse back when you were green?

I would love to hear your tips and advice...I am seriously considering not going back next year!!!

mom's outlet You have summed up everything beautifully! It's nice to know there is someone out there who relates! Are you still working in the school?
Specializes in Nursing Education.

I only stayed as a school nurse for 1 year. I went back to the hospital setting. I got an MSN in Nursing Education and teach adjunct in a BSN program. Later on, I will try to teach full-time and get my summers that way :-)

Specializes in School Nursing.

This is my first year in the schools after working the hospital setting. I oscillate constantly between the desire to stay at my schools because of the schedule versus going back to the hospital because I miss it. How did you ultimately make the decision to go back to the hospital? My husband also loves my schedule and so do my two young daughters but my husband also loves his job and wants me to be happy in my career. It's such a tough decision. :wtf:

Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

I'm sorry to hear that your work environment isn't so friendly. I absolutely cannot take disrespectful and rude people, especially at work. I hope things get better for you! I know this sounds odd but maybe it's because you are new. Last year was my first year and this one teacher was very nasty to me and it started on my first day too. It was strange. This year, she acts completely different towards me as if we have been friends for years. I don't trust this teacher for one second but I am happy her attitude improved.

As for orientation, I had four hours and that's it. And that is probably only because I went to nursing school with the previous nurse. And I have no supervisor, no head nurse, nothing. No one to really turn to and ask questions. I'm literally on my own and at times I do not like that. I'm still new to nursing too.

Hang in there though, school nursing can be a lot of fun and nothing beats the schedule. Wishing you all the best!!!!

Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

Ha!! I didn't realize how old this post was!!! I'm on my small pumping break and wasn't being observant!!!

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

1) No orintation, I got hired at least 2 days before school started. So everything I done is by trial and error.

2) They are okay, we get along, but I can sense that because I'm still "new" and they known each other for YEARS, it's going to take a while before we can be friends in a real sense, but I'm fine with that, as long as we get along and we can still have small conversations and laugh, I'm good.

3) I was recieved pretty well. It took a while for people to trust me here as the "school nurse" (I'm a medical aide honestly), but after a few months, the kids love me, the parents from the PTO came to respect me and the teachers respect me as well. I made some friends here, but just work friends.

Just be friendly and do your best. If there's a problem , talk to your admin. Don't be afraid to tell them your concerns. If there's someone above all your school nurses in your district, make sure you send an email to introduce yourself, in case you need any extra support (Or if you need her to tell the staff off for you, because she can.) she can help you. We got one and while she is busy, she does have time to help, she literally came during her work hours to come give me the medical aide training in my office because I was hired after that orientation they had.

I have to vent; all my RN friends are in the hospital environment and just don't get it :-(

I have been an RN for almost 10 years and recently started working in an Elementary school in February. The office staff are just plain mean, disrespectful and oftentimes inappropriate. Like I am this huge inconvenience whenever I ask them for records or

assistance etc..

I have been placed in this school and really left to my own devices...it is like on the job self training with a liaison that checks in here and there. Here are my questions, 1. In general, were you given some strong orientation and training for your position? I mean, I know how to be a nurse, but a school nurse not so much. The paperwork, records, immunizations etc takes understanding and instruction. 2 How are your office staff? How do you deal with bad, toxic attitudes? I mean I have taken more heat from Drs and not been this upset! 3. As a new school nurse, how do you fit in? What was your experience as a new school nurse back when you were green?

I would love to hear your tips and advice...I am seriously considering not going back next year!!!

Ummm.... I think we work in the same school district. I know EXACTLY how you feel. This is my 3rd year at this school and I'm not sure if I will come back.

When I started, I got one day of orientation. I came straight from bedside nursing to school nursing, I mean... how difficult could it be.. right? Yeah....

The office staff can be your best friend or your worst enemy. My first year, it was like an episode of "Mean Girls". The second year, was a little better and we came to an understanding. This year is about the same. As far as fitting in... you don't. Your not a teacher or an office worker and your focus is different from everyone else. You may have a few friends but nothing like the ones you had at the hospital. It gets better... especially during summer break :)

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