We have been in union negotiations for a while... and tonight we start to talk money.
In my district (and pretty much all local districts) nurses are included in the support staff contract (same as secretaries, custodial staff, cooks, ect). I have been prepping myself to properly advocate for myself and my fellow nurses to get a significant bump in pay. I have researched other local contracts and several have given their nurses big bumps in the last couple years.
Currently, my district pays a first year school nurse 78% of what a first year teacher gets paid. (regardless of any previous nursing experience that is NOT school nursing)
Some points I want to bring up are that nurses are the only members of the support staff contract that have a required degree and required continuing education as well as a skill set that cannot be delegated. Our job is professional, not vocational. Our population has increased and there are more kids than ever with chronic conditions that require frequent, if not daily monitoring (diabetes is the best example). Not to mention the increase in numbers of kids with severe allergies, ADD/ADHD, taking daily medication, and other conditions that we need to prepare for in case of emergency (epilepsy, tourette's, a variety of cardiac conditions).
Any input on what else I can say or impress on the board? Any help is appreciated!!
You carry a 'license to practice' with a specific scope of practice. Without that license, you DON'T practice. In your state and probably, any other state. And you go before a Board to determine if you have your license pulled. Teachers become certified, but a 'license to practice' implies that you are LEGAL to nurse; I don't think teachers have to be LEGAL to teach.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
Me toooooo!
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