I am in my 2nd year of school nursing after 17 years in the ER. Made the jump knowing the pay is not great and it would be lonely at times, but with two young children the opportunity to spend evenings and holidays with my family was priceless. I am however thinking this may not be for me.
I work in a middle/school grades 6-12, approx 600 students and 70ish staff. It's a somewhat rural community, poverty, lack of resources and community support. I have had a few incidents that have left me rethinking my change in specialty. I'm really struggling with the recent one. I am hoping for guidance or a some truthful tough love.
This past Monday as I was sitting in my office I watched 3 police cruisers and an ambulance pull up in front of the school. My first thought was lock down drill. Super long story short, I was told everything was "fine" and basically shooed back to my office when I questioned fire doors being closed. It ended up a student was in crisis and was being taken out non voluntarily for eval. I only found this out today after I was "invited" to a meeting tomorrow morning. I was told, "we think there are medical issues going on and we can't ask those questions." I declined and told them they handled the situation without allowing me to be involved I am not going to jump in now to fix it for them. I know this now sounds crazy but what part of taking a child out of the building in an ambulance isn't something a nurse should be apart of if not at minimal aware of? I am used everyday for the teachers and counselors to drop off the kids who "just need a break" or for a nap or because they have another appointment and the kiddo is still in tears... but I'm not needed at times of crisis until they need answers and are unable to question the mom.. please tell me the truth am I just meant to stay in the ER or what I'm experiencing is crazy?
thank you for taking the time to read my rambling thoughts.
I have this issue in my building. I feel what you are saying. I have tried and tried to work with guidance, I am used to the hospital approach to things. All disciplines work together for a common goal. I am never thought of until there is an emergency. Heck, Im left off of staff emails, dont know about staff meetings, got left out of the safety/ crisis meeting ( active shooter training), dont get copies of IEPs that have direct medical interventions listed. I had a situation earlier in the year with a suicidal student, to say I am a little on edge about that topic would be an understatement. About a week after the incident, I had a student come to my office making statements that were alarming, I went to the counselors to speak to them... COME TO FIND OUT, this student was known to the guidance dept, counselors and principals to have made a suicide pact with another student and I was not made aware of anything!!! I think that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I can only do what I can do, but to be left out of loop has got to be one of the most frustrating parts of this job.
That really sucks, it is not quite that bad here, most days...
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,743 Posts
That really sucks, it is not quite that bad here, most days...