wishfulbiscuits

I've been in school nursing for the last 3 years (worked in hospital for 2 years prior). I started in the middle of the pandemic so I didn't really know what "normal" school nursing was until maybe a year and a half in. This year has been the busiest year ever. I'm so tired tired of chasing alllll this paperwork and annoying parents because they can't seem to remember the 15 hundred letters or phone calls I've made to them. They want us to get a lot of our screenings done earlier this year too because we're at liberty of everyone else's schedule. Sometimes I have to cover other schools because we can't hire enough people. I feel our department is going to fall apart within the next couple years honestly. Retention has not been good since I started. I had an anxiety attack at work last week. I could feel my heart racing. I haven't been able to eat very much since. I can't seem to concentrate on whatever I'm doing. I've struggled with anxiety/depression off and on since starting my nursing journey. I feel fizzled up by the end of the day and just don't have a lot of energy left for my own children at the end of the day. I feel like I backed myself into a corner with this job. Hours are great for my kids (one in school, one in daycare). Coworkers are nice. Pay is okay but not the best. I mostly worked part time to preserve some of my sanity before taking on this fulltime position. I started the process of finding a therapist through the EAP offered to us. I've tried meds before, but hated the side effects. The only thing that calms my anxiety is the thought of leaving this job at the end of the year. I just want a break from nursing, period. I enjoy caring for people, but the amount paperwork and other bureaucratic nonsense makes me lose my mind. Thank you for reading. I've had a lot on my mind. I broke down to my husband in tears about this and have been uneasy since.

Awhile ago I interviewed for an inpatient hospice position and a school nurse job. I turned down the hospice job because I wasn’t sure about their ratios (up to 6 if low acuity). I had also interviewed for a school nurse job. I waited awhile for the school nurse job but never heard anything, so applied to another med/surg floor (they take adult/peds/hospice) and got offered that job. The hospital I work at now is great and I would choose it over the other place I worked. My issue is my unit is a COVID unit. I’m tired of it. I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon in our area. During my last shift I was able to help a hospice patient pass peacefully. It felt so rewarding making them as comfortable as can be. Part of me wants to apply again to hospice but I’d hate to leave this newer job so soon (only 2 months in).

I absolutely hear what you are saying which is why I am so hesitant to make any moves. I actually graduated from this school so I’m hoping for some brownie points in there. Either way I still have my current job ??‍♀️

I’m at a bit of a crossroads here. I have been a med/surg nurse for a year now but am ready to move on to something new. I recently received a job offer to work in an inpatient hospice house weekends only. It pays more and would allow me time off all week to spend with my son. The only two issues is the health insurance kinda stinks and I was told I could be the only RN (this being nights) with a CNA for up to 7 patients! This is only if they’re all low acuity though. I was told it’s typically just 5 patients (this is my norm). On the other hand, a coworker of mine recently started as a school nurse and told me their was another opening that will be posted for one of the local high schools. It would be a normal Monday thru Friday, no holidays/weekends, and it’d be in my sons school district. The only issue is they haven’t officially posted the job but my coworker says I would more than likely get it (but thats no guarantee). I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to wait for something that might not happen yet I don’t wanna burn a bridge for a potential employer.