marsbar37

Hi I was wondering if new school nurses that practice in NYC have to take a test to be certified.

I have been worrying about my job security too. I've been a school nurse for 3 years and it gets harder to find assignments( agency) especially over the Summer. Any ideas of a good field I can transition to?

I agree with damned if you do damned if you don't. Please know that as a nurse, assistants are so important to us. I value you and all that you do to make our patient care the best it can be ?

I was wondering if school nurses ever encounter violence towards them. I don't ever see it mentioned. I've had two students threaten me. It shocked the hell out of me because they were both 12! I work in a fairly diverse middle school but I have had student tell me to do my job, call me fat and two verbal threats. I've complained to the higher ups but they seem just overwhelmed with entitled parents. I know there are only a few more weeks till school is out but I'd like to know if for the future if there a different way to handle

I couldnt believe when I read your story! It was a mirror of me. I have been a RN for 6 years but have very little bedside experience. I'd have crippiling performance anxiety and draw blanks at the worst moments. It changed when I became a Summer camp nurse and discovered how much I loved working with kids. I started school nursing and have been a school nurse for 3 years. Im an agency nurse so the pay is very nice (although pay is falling). Im long term contract so I usually stay at a school for a year. It's nice because I meet new people and kids and get to work with different grades. Downside is nothing is guaranteed so there is always uncertainty of securing a position.

of course you would perform assesment and observation but a pulse ox can tell you right away their saturation and for kids who complain their hearts are beating so fast it gives a pulse and reassures the patient

well the very robotic answer I was given was that its DOE decision and we must follow their guidelines and protocol WOW!

Are you allowed to use pulse ox on students? In NY we cant which I find ridiculous since its such a valuable tool especially on our asthmatics.

I suck at math too so I was so scared taking Med Dosage. I practiced my butt off, watched YouTube videos on it and was able to be tutored by my teacher. Sometimes a professor can set you up with a tutor and that might help. Doesnt hurt to ask.

Please don't give up. If you really want to be a nurse then you will find a way. It seems you had to deal with a lot and of course nursing school doesnt make it any easier. My nursing journey was also a long one but it was done. Sending positive energy your way!

Perfect example of stay in your own lane moment. Always go to admin first.

Another option is to join a staffing agency. I fell into school nursing by working for a Summer camp that an agency set me up with. In September they asked if I wanted to work in a school and I gave it a shot and loved it. Agency pays very well, but of course no benefits or guarantee of placement. I do it thou because I like working in different school and for different grades.

It never ceases to amaze me how as nurses we are expected to be abused and just accept it. We get grief from admin who number crunch and teachers who thought that every sneeze or cough was Covid and not anything else like allergies or common colds, to parents who blatently lie and suffer no repercussions.

Is working with people giving you anxiety? or a fear of making mistakes? Or high pressure situations. You made it through nursing school and that is a big accomplishment. Give yourself credit for that! Maybe the environment is wrong for you. I found out early in my nursing career I did not like hospital nursing. Way too much stress and anxiety. I kept trying new areas until I found one that I love. If you want to stay in this clinic is actually performing skills on patients is what makes you nervous? I understand the shaking. I know how hard it is to overcome anxiety and trying to get a grip. It's easier said then done. Therapy is a good start and using this website too. Sending good energy your way!

Don't give up! I know its extremely annoying by failing by so little but I agree with many people who advise to meet with your teacher to find out what the problem is. I also like you have terrible test anxiety and nursing school is full of tests. I met with my teachers who showed me what my weaknesses were and gave me great test taking tips

In my city we have Summer school programs in various schools throughout the area and my agency finds me one school for the whole Summer or I can be at various schools just filling in. The pay is the same and I can do overtime but so much money gets taken out in taxes. In regards as can you get hired by a district I'm sure you could but the pay is very low for school nurses in my area that im content to just be an agency nurse.

I found my school nursing assignment through an agency. The pay is very good but no benefits unless you pull in a certain number of hours consistently over a time period. You can get overtime which is great. I've been with my agency for two years now at the same school which I love. I work at different schools over the Summer when they have school programs so I can still earn. I also came from a Psych background before leaving and it really benefited me in my school assignment of working with children with various degrees of autism.

Thank you all so much for your input. You all bring out wonderful points that I have experienced first hand from learning each child is unique, the teachers that send the kids in for anything to be sent home (I even had the principal warn me!) to Rnis experience as a special needs parent which was truly amazing to read ?

Hello, I am a new school nurse and I am assigned to a school with autistic children up till 1st grade. I find it fascinating how these little ones functions daily. They are all non verbal and find it hard to assess them when they come to me. I ask the teachers for input as they have worked with the children and they know when they are not acting right. They don't wear masks so im vigilant monitoring for fevers etc. Can anyone share experience working with these special children so I can be the best nurse I can be for them?

Its always better to be cautious. I work in a psychiatric hospital and I HATE getting pulled to another unit because I don't know the behavior of the new patients.

Hello! Ive been working in a psychiatric hospital for a few months now and I wonder how do nurses deal with a patient who screams at you and rattles you? I'm afraid of this patient because she starts trouble a lot but any advice on a how to develop more of a steel spine when dealing with them?

what a wonderful article! i am currently in orientation as a RN for a psychiatric hospital and i am afraid of patient violence more than anything but i'll do my best

this was a wonderful well thought out article. i was hired for a psych inpatient position and i am scared both for being a new nurse and safety.

thank you davey do!i i think i'm getting new job jittersí ½í±

i was able to get a nursing interview for a night position in our local state psychiatric hospital. i had to interview with 12 administrators at the same time!😦 at the end they told me they would let me know their decision by next week. Well i get a phone call 3 hours later with an offer. i know psych nursing tends to have a high turnover. Should i be flattered or worried?