catsmeow2

OMG, I so get what you are saying about the politics. I was the 4th nurse this school had, in a 4 year span of time, and have lasted the longest. I have contacted a union steward but feel I am not being allowed a voice. I know I must move on and am working to change things around for the New Year. Please keep a good thought for me. Much thanks for the comments! :heartbeat

Thank you for the suggestions, it was very helpful. I work each day staying focused on the kids and smiling as much as possible. It helps very much knowing the insights of others!

I am hoping to get ideas on how to prove I do have worthy nursing skills so that I may move on. Sorry for the sob story, I didn't mean to do that. Thanks!

I am a vocational nurse in California and work at an elementary school of 500 students. I like my work but the politics are making me feel so worthless. Everyone is use to a traditional Health Technician, aka: first aide trained office member, which is par for the course in California schools. The school district I work for, due to the volume of diabetics and other medical needs decided to hire all licensed nurses at each school site. Some of the schools allow the nurse to be a nurse, but at my school I must answer phones and do a lot of office work in addition to trying to properly oversee student needs. I am proud of how I run my health office and have been able to co-ordinate between the two areas. However, I get judged by campus aides, the office manager, and now the principal for how I do my job. I became very upset one day and yelled at a campus aide who decided I didn't provide proper care to a student and reported it to the principal. Of course yelling only got me into trouble but I felt so hurt. I realize there is nothing I can do to change this work situation and have been seeking employment elsewhere, only to be told I don't have any current "clinical" experiences. I've tried talking with the district nurse I work under but she does not understand and does not support me. What can I do to prove I am a worthy nurse with sound skills. I have been a nurse of 17 years and have worked skilled nursing, clinics, and the hospital setting.

Hi all! I am a LVN working in one California school district that hires licensed nurses at each of their school sites. My problem is with the after school program of the school I am assigned that I also stay to work at. We don't have much medical needs this year in the program and one of the teachers stated I probably wasn't needed. I do more work for the office than being a nurse and it is frustrating. I worked hard to be a good nurse but can't say I am viewed as a nurse in this after school program. It makes me feel belittled and unimportant, plus with the Calif economy I really can't afford to lose the hours and it would also impact my health benefits for myself and family as I would be working less than 40 hours. I could use suggestions on maintaining my self esteem and self-respect for being a nurse at a school. Much thanks!

I am too an LVN, since 1993, and I've seen plenty of ebbs and flows in the industry. Currently, LVN's are being used less in hospital settings. We are still being used in home health, geriatrics, rehab centers, private agencies, and doctor's offices. Kaiser is a big company that uses LVN's at all of their satellite clinics. When I graduated, hospitals were laying off nurse, all nurses including RNs. You couldn't get hired without experience; like trying to get credit without credit and new grad programs were scrace. It was who I knew who would refer me that I got my first entry level job. Look at Craigslist. In my area (Ventura County) there is also agencies posting for LVN's and some that some saying they will take new grads. And if you paid $30,000, does the school not have a placement program for their grads? What a shame! Keep trying. It's always hard to get that first job, but once you're in, you're in. Hang tough. LVN's are still a viable resource in the nursing industry!

Thank you for your input. I agree. I am working on getting myself a new position somewhere. It just takes time. I can't be out of my office without a sub so I have to use "pupil free" days to look. I've done all I can do here professionally and after this situation would prefer to not get myself into the same situation while I try and apply my nursing to students. And yes, this is a difficult district nurse. I don't honestly think she sees LVNs as worthy nurses. If we were she would spend some time advocating for us rather than accusing us.

I am a LVN in California that works at an elementary school. The school district I work tries to place license nurses at each school. I have been trying to find information on how a nurse can protect themselves from accusations of sexual harrassment. Working in a school I've learned there are special "precautions" to touching students. You can't hug for one. Unfortunately, the nurses are learning this as we go. The district nurse I work under never gave me specific information. As a nurse we do assessments that may require touching, i.e. palpating for swelling if a child bangs their head. One of my colleagues lost her job because the district nurse accused her of inappropriate touching. She had been stroking the arm to comfort an upset student and holding the hair of another while the student was vomiting. I can not find anything in our union's information booklet to address these issues or even explain expectations. I've searched a variety of nursing league websites and board sites to no success. Does anyone know where I can get such information. I'd like to present the information at our next nurses meeting and turn this sad situation into something more positive.

I am a LVN and I remember when I trained for it I wasn't hating the field but was very afraid of being a nurse. I had always wanted to be a nurse but by the time I got to get into training one instructor I had made it scary. That was 15 years ago. I don't regret pushing through and am now back in school to pursue a higher license. I don't think you are a terrible person feeling the way you do. I don't think we can get the full scope of our options in the middle of training. Twice I did almost leave the profession due to burn out, but my hubby kept pushing to try a different area to practise. I am very glad I listened. I think that is key too. We have so many options as nurses. You don't have to be a hospital nurse if you don't want to, or a geractric nurse, and so on. You can do case managment for home health, work in a doctor's office, work for a health insurance company, etc, etc, etc........ We all have our niches. I am definitely not going to ever pursue E.R., I.C.U, or pschye. Those our areas I've never had an interest. My advise is don't judge the profession while training. If your grades are good that says something of your abilities. Talk to as many nurses as you can in as many different areas as possible. We all hate our job at some time but work through it and if you hear others talk about this it will help to get a better handle on things.

I understand Kaiser will continue the years of service that I once provided as part of their benefits package (a union benefit). That is, if I am lucky to return, I can work 2 more years and become a vested (5 year) employee. I know they are all unionized here in California, but I am not sure about other states. Unions do have pros and cons. Like with my harassment situation, I could not file a complaint against the co-worker (union requirment), a fellow nurse, I had to work through my administrator who made me feel as though I caused the problem. I could have filed a complaint against the supervisor, but then the school opportunity came up so I tried to leave on a good note. As far as the cost of education, if things are still as they were then, they help fund the actual nursing program. They had contracts with certain schools in the area too to lower the cost. The pre-req part you were on your own. I know it's a leap of faith, but no other area employer had the same benefits Kaiser did. With a family and educational goals, I will need to work part time and still have a chance at benefits that won't break my bank. Would love to hear how your situation turns out.

I worked for Kaiser here in So. Cal for 3 years and am planning on trying to return. I had an opportunity to work as a nurse at a elementary school but with all the changes in Calif's state budget, and schools getting cuts, my opportunities are running out. At the time, Kaiser provided full time benefits with employees who worked 20 hours or more. I couldn't negotiate the start hourly rate (union requirements), but I always got a review on time with a raise. The union is strong and they support continued education. I had a problem with one co-worker who personally harassed me and wasn't able to resolve that issue (no employer is perfect) but the balance of my co-workers were intelligent, supportive nurses. I also miss being around more nurses and hope once this school year is complete, and because I want to go on for my RN (I am a LVN right now), I can return to Kaiser.

I am very interested in the pharmacology certification course. Has anyone done one and can tell me what it was like? Thanks!