sippee

Your comment is a big help! I have often thought whether or not I may be idealizing it. I know there are a few things I'm not willing to return to such as taking call. I do get bored easily and find that often times I just need a change. I could try being per diem but I have in the past and found it difficult to manage when I worked 5 days a week already. When you aren't there very Day I found it tougher to keep up with the constant changes of the OR. It's not like other depts . When you are there everyday you can do it in your sleep but it's very hard to dabble in it.

I don't know what to do. I have been a school nurse for 5 years now and although I don't love it, I don't hate it either. Right now I have an awesome situation working close to home, great school, staff etc. but I hate the responsibility this role has and I find myself worrying over the unknown that could happen. Since I've started of keep thinking of returning back to my old speciality in the OR. I miss being with other health professionals and doing cases that were interesting etc . I loved it for a while and did it for 11 years . But I feel I left for a reason ...( wanted a change, management not great , schedule etc) I didn't want to be working all summer while my kids were home and it sounded great to be a school nurse ( snow days , summers) i just don't feel settled and constantly look around for other positions. I feel like if I leave I'm choosing between my kids and myself . I know this job is best for them but not sure it's best for me . If there wasn't summers off I would not be doing it . Everyone says I got the golden ticket and I'm crazy to leave ... what to do?

I was just looking back at this and wondering how you are feeling now that the school year is almost finished?

Holken 99 I felt the exact same way my second year. Lots of anxiety that I never had in the OR. After having a few years under my belt I still feel vulnerable at times. Mostly because on top of the stress of doing your job, nurses are never informed of important info yet the first to blame if something were to happen. Not sure its worth having summers off for the responsibility at times. However, all you can do is prepare for a situation and hope it never happens. I'm not so sure this is reassuring to you though. All I can say is that I understand and over time you may feel more comfortable.

You and I are the same person!! I actually think you responded to a similar post of mine. I feel the same way about school nursing as you. I have been doing this for almost 4 years and I still feel like I don't love it. I also enjoyed my previous specialty but management, poor moral and finding a good schedule for my family were the obstacles. I was also ready for a change. I do feel like you will be less stressed the more experience you obtain but I also hate making decisions but it does get better. That being said I do not like being the only medical professional and feeling like I need to know everything about every medical issue that comes through the door. ( staff and students). I feel like if I still feel this way after 4 years than I prob always will. I struggle with leaving because it IS an awesome schedule and I feel like I'm choosing between what's best for my kids vs myself. I also hate the 5 day work weeks! I would love to hear from people who left school nursing ...were they happier ? Or did they return ??? I wish you the best of luck !

Holken 99 ....Now your post could also be written by me because I also go back and forth and can't seem to make up my mind. I can tell you I don't work another job and I do enjoy the summers off !! They are nice :). Sometimes though I do feel like I could do a little something but eventually I don't . It's too hard working 5 days and running my kids everywhere to pick up a per firm job. I think a surgicenter would be nice . I also have thought about something new but you know how that goes .. I wish I could just decide. My worst fear us giving up the school and saying " what did I do!" However I can picture myself back in an OR and feeling like I am home too.

Can I ask what state you are in ? I live in RI and I'm hearing the np, pa, and md do it themselves and don't delegate it out to RN's.

This is my forth year as a school nurse. The first year it was great! Awesome schedule, autonomy, summers off! I was an OR nurse so not having to take call was great. That being said it wasn't a year later that I started to miss the OR. Don't get me wrong, the school job is ok but I hate the 5 day workweek. As a mom of two school aged kids I have zero time to keep up on the mom duties of house and home. So my weekend is tied up getting everything done and not enjoying it with my family. I can tell you right now if it wasn't for the summer off I would not have chosen this field. I def do it for the schedule. I do not enjoy being the " tag your it factor" when anything and everything arises. Not so much the medical emergencies but when it's deciding how urgent. Should I have mom take to doctor or call rescue etc. dont get me wrong I know the grass isn't always greener, i wouldn't have left if it was perfect right. i just can't shake the feeling of looking for something better. Thinking if I could make the same money working 3 days would it be a good switch. I wouldn't have the whole summer off but a lot of days to spend with my kids. Also when they get older and don't want to be with mom anymore....I def don't need the whole summer off. I want to add my husband is a teacher so he is off so childcare is not an issue. Looking to see if anyone else has felt like this and if you left did you regret it? I know school nurse jobs are hard to get so I don't want to give it up until I'm sure.

That was a beautiful story which echoed my feelings exactly!! Being a school nurse isn't what people perceive. It is stressful and crazy at times.

I am also in RI interested in Aesthetic Nursing as well. Hoping to hear some good feedback!

My school has that too but it doesn't open till 7am.

to clarify my kids go to school. so nights and weekends would conflict. Was just looking for thoughts for before school care for 1.5 hours. Not looking for a daycare. If both parents have to leave by 6:30 am wondering how others make it work that do the 7-3 shift.

do you have school aged children? is it worth it for you to stay? That's my biggest reason. I would give it more time ( although i have and it hasn't gotten much better) stay per diem until you are sure.

I have two school age children. The local ymca provides childcare at 7:00 at the earliest. Curious what others do with their children if they work 7-3 day shift?

They are hard. My hubby doesn't understand and since he isn't a nurse he never will. All he sees is the schedule and summer off. Don't get me wrong, I love that part but can't shake how I feel. The hospital schedule is much harder to manage . I may keep the school for a bit longer and then see as my kids get older . I know I should do perdiem but it's too hard working 5 days and children with all their after school obligations ugh

The OR is black or white.. You either love it or you hate it . I loved it!!! It takes time but it will click

How are you liking it? Do you miss the nicu

Spidey's mom How long did you do it? It makes make feel better that there is someone else out there that" doesn't love it" .

I'm torn between what I used to do and the school. I feel I loved the OR more but love having the school schedule. One is better for my family and the other for me. Tough choice . I can't decide

Dakota Denise what Prn jobs do you do that don't have requirements?

Blue moon, Do you love what you are doing part time? You have to be happy with what you do everyday also. Are you going to go back to school nursing?

I'm feeling a little anxious myself . It's the unknown . I recently switched from younger to older as well and I definitely don't feel as comfortable yet . It's definitely different. They communicate better but the problems are bigger too. You will do fine. A friend of mine recently went from elem to Hs and she was anxious too. She loves it !!

Trying to decide if I should switch to different school or stay at the one I am at. There are pros and Cons to both. What would help you to stay vs go? People, routine, etc.

Do you think it's better to work 5 days week with summers off or part time all year round . I have two school age children but hate the 5 day week. Feeling like PT all year may be better then school nurse. My hubby thinks I'm nuts to give up summers! Advice