ANL6822

We don't have that sort of organization in this district. They actually phased out LPNs prior to me being hired.

I am an ADN with many years of experience. There is a difference in the education level and experience, however the ADN pay scale is the same as the LPN pay scale for the district. So I am not even in a similar range as the other RNs, which is the cause of the large gap.

I really appreciate this. I certainly need the prayers and I came to this forum looking for guidance and support from my peers, so I value everyone's uplifting remarks and encouragement.

The pay scale is based on experience. The type of experience is part of our current debate. My education level is the reason for the pay gap between myself and my peers. Although this issue will be resolved soon, as I am finishing a BSN.

I work with HS age students. I am asked to give this talk frequently, but usually after the teacher or counselor has also addressed the matter with the student. I have found that the best approach is a straight forward one. I make sure we are alone and cannot be interrupted, then begin by stating that I have heard some concerns from teachers that the student has difficulty in class with other students making comments about body odor. I reinforce that we want to help the student be comfortable in class and not feel that their peers are bullying or making fun of them. I ask if the student has hygiene items at home, offer to get them some if needed, recommend they bring deodorant or clean shirt to school if they are going to participate in open gym or PE class. Sometimes I will give the student the option of getting a mini deodorant or clean t-shirt from my supply. I have had kids that simply do not have what they need at home, so we work to get those things for them. I also have kids that have animals at home and that odor clings to items like jackets and book bags, so I will suggest they launder those more often and keep those items off of the floor or away from pets at home. I have even allowed a couple students to go home to shower, wash their hoodies or bookbags because they were unaware of the problem until I said something. Mostly I have good responses from being straight forward with the student, but I am also kind in my approach, try to imply that I am on their side and want to help, and give the student options for addressing the issue at the time of the discussion. I emphasize that I want them to be comfortable in class among their peers and do not wish to see them bullied for something that be fixed.

I love this OldDude. Thank you for your kind and uplifting words. I think this is where my personal struggle begins. I took this position for a list of reasons. Some of those have changed. I want to advocate for all the nurses in my district. We all deserve better. The question for me personally, is how long do I fight this battle before it becomes invaluable to my family, leading me to move on and how do I move forward with this battle in a way that is smart, ethical, and sheds light on the injustices occurring?

This is part of what I have been looking into and although I feel there is an issue I have not been able to find grounds for an increase in my pay or that they legally owe me any additonal compensation. I haven't taken it to Human Resources yet, because I am trying to educate myself on the issue and also I am afraid of stirring up a hornets nest before the school board votes on possible pay increases.

Benefits are not bad. We do have the option of health insurance and retirement. I personally am invested in the retirement, but not the insurance. My spouse carries the insurance. The insurance offered is good, but takes a large chunk of our already meager pay.

You are right. When I took this position a few years ago I did agree to the pay rate knowing that I was taking a large pay cut. My motivations at the time and benefits to my family out weighed that one large negative issue. In recent weeks though, I have found out that I am paid less than all the other nurses in the district my thousands of dollars a year. This is where I am now finding it hard to remain content in my job. I want to see all of the nurses become better compensated, but if this increase doesn't pass I may have to move on.

My bathroom is a revolving door for MS and HS boys who will poop no where else. And each one of them takes 20 minutes to do so. And some don't flush. I now have a sign up reminding them to do so and clean up any "messes" please. This is cracking me up! HS boys use the bathroom in my office for the same thing. The other day I had one in there so long I forgot he was there.

I had a couple of HS students, decorating for Christmas, come to me asking if I could fix the battery pack on their dancing Santa doll, because I have the tiny glasses screw driver. The screw was stripped from previous years and Santa was not able to be resuscitated.

My spouse's income is the only reason I have been able to stay for the last few years. We have seen the proposed increase. While it is not going to bring us up to the level of non-school RNs it will make us competitive with other school districts. It would be an increase of several thousand dollars a year. I ideally would like to be able to continue to advocate for better pay, professional status, and help with continuing education. Anyone else fought this battle in their districts?

In my area of the state school nurses are extremely under paid. My particular school district is the worst of all the surrounding districts by thousands of dollars a year. We are $15,000-20,000 below the bottom of the pay scale for other Registered Nurses in the area, not working in the school setting. The nurses in my district have been advocating for better pay. I personally, fully support this effort. Lately though, I have been struggling with what I am going to do if the increase to the nursing pay scale is not approved by our school board. It has been turned down before. In my state nurses are not mandatory in schools, so districts have no incentive to make pay competitive or even on the same playing field. I am feeling very taken advantage of, in light of all that I have learned lately in preparation for advocating for better pay. I truly love my job. I have been a nurse for ten years and this has been my favorite place to work. Any advice on how to proceed?