Ready to quit

Published

Hi,

I just started my first school nurse job and I am contemplating quitting. I am paid for 3 days a week at 2 elementary schools (800+ each), but have been working 7 days a week 10-12 hours a day. I feel like I am learning by trial and error - not the way I want to do it.

As a background, I have been a nurse for 22 years (peds, OB/GYN, inpatient and outpatient).

Any advise? Does it get better or will I continue to feel overwhelmed and fearful of making the wrong decisions?

Thanks

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Can you explain the disparity between what you are paid for and what you are actually working?

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I was hired for 3 days a week, but trying to get everything done at 2 schools for the beginning of the year has taken so much of my time....does that happen to anyone else?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

yes, there is a lot of work to get done, especially at the beginning of the year. But you know what i found over the years... the work is always still there in the morning (no matter how much i wish for the health office elves to come in at night).

At this point, all you can do is prioritize and take it one issue at a time. Trust me when i say that the alligators that pile up on the desk do eventually get tamed.

Work your contracted hours, do as much as you can, but when the whistle blows, go home and unwind. This will save your sanity and perhaps let your district know that you need more contracted hours in a week and/or help in the office. If you work for free, they will not only allow you, but will grow to expect it.

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I agree with what Flare said. I am a first year school nurse too but when its 3:30 I go home and leave the work for the next day. I try not to think about work when I am home, that is my time for my family. I would not work for free, they will begin to expect that and you are only cheating yourself. If it is something that administration says you must get done then explain to them that you do not have enough contracted hours to get it all done by the deadline. Ask for either more hours or additional help until the majority of the things are done. Prioritize the best you can , take a breath and relax. I have a feeling that it is mostly just beginning of the year stuff that will eventually lessen.

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My question is: how do you get all the care plans done and distributed, meds checked in (with orders), staff trained, kids triaged, etc at 2 schools in 3 days?

Thanks for the advice....it is very helpful.

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the work is always still there in the morning (no matter how much i wish for the health office elves to come in at night).

Oh this is so true. I have never ended a day saying great I got everything done today I needed to. Wish those elves would visit me. I would leave a list. LOL

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
My question is: how do you get all the care plans done and distributed, meds checked in (with orders), staff trained, kids triaged, etc at 2 schools in 3 days?

Thanks for the advice....it is very helpful.

One task at a time. Prioritize the things that can't wait. I haven't even begun to think about my care plans yet. I'm too busy focusing on med orders, immunizations and he nonstop stream of students coming into my office.

Tomorrow's task will be sports physical madness!! I think i have a handle on my meds. Oh, and don't forget to take your lunch too! Even if it's just wolfing down a sandwich in six minutes!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I so agree with Flare! I have been a school nurse now for 4 years. At the first of the year you will feel overwhelmed with trying to decide what can wait and what can't. Immunizations should be the first, since the students are not allowed in school without them being up to date! Then your care plans/emergency action plans for the really chronically ill kids should come next. Of course all this along with the medications and proper forms and signatures associated with that process. It will all be worth it if you will just hang in there. I wish you well and I know if you are patient, it will work out. DONT WORK WHEN YOU ARE NOT GETTING PAID!! That could lead to burnout among other things! God bless you, sister nurse!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

My district allows me to distribute my part time hours as I need. So I always work a lot of hours (but never equivalent to full time) in August and September and then in a slower month (often Feb and March) I work fewer. My pay is evenly distributed over the year. Some years it's a squeak to not go over, like with H1 N1 or a pertussis outbreak, but I try really hard to come out even in June.

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Remember you are in a school-not a hospital so for the most part these kids are healthy! You do not have to have everything done in 2-3 days! It always takes us a few weeks to get the first of the year stuff done and we're there every day! Make sure the teachers know any students they have with serious problems and/or meds and what to do first even if it's just verbal then work on all the rest when you can. Also the school will function just fine the days you aren't there just like it always has before. It's not life or death if a student is missing a care plan or immunization. Do not work except your allotted hours!! It does get easier and you will learn not to stress out so much over this kind of stuff.

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Thank you all for the advice! I am starting to get a handle on things (at least at one school) and I am working less. any more tips are welcome!!

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