schedule change

Specialties School

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When I was initially hired for my position 4 years ago, my schedule allowed me to leave with enough time to pick my kids up from school. The next year, they changed my schedule so that it barely worked to pick my kids up from school, but I made it work. Fast forward a few years now, they're not happy with me leaving at that time (even though I'm in the building for the entire student schedule) and now want to push my schedule back even later, which won't work for my family. I've ultimately been told to adjust my schedule or I won't have a job next school year.

Half of me is relieved because I haven't been entirely happy with my position since day 1, but the other half of me is very hurt. I have worked so hard to start this program from scratch. I have put so much extra time and effort into this job and I do my job well. It is now extremely organized and I am constantly told how great of a job I do to multitask and manage everything. They know my home situation and they know that me staying those 10 extra minutes just isn't possible. So, for them to do this, it just stings.

Bottom line: don't kill yourself over a job that can let you go just like that and not have any remorse about it. It's not worth it.

On a happy note, I do have contacts with other districts, so it is time to start exploring.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

I can hear your heart. We put our heart and soul into our job because we love the kids and all the perks that go with it (and a lot of other good reasons). So glad you have contacts with other districts. They would appreciate you the way you deserve. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I'd be curious why they're so nasty about your sched now.?

I wonder is they already have someone waiting in the wings for your position?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I too wonder what changed all of a sudden? My best guess would be that a teacher whined that you weren't working the "contracted" hours like they had to despite the fact they don't see that you are coming in 20 min early to leave 20 early or whatever.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
40 minutes ago, Flare said:

I too wonder what changed all of a sudden? My best guess would be that a teacher whined that you weren't working the "contracted" hours like they had to despite the fact they don't see that you are coming in 20 min early to leave 20 early or whatever.

As a school nurse I never got a conference period and rarely had an uninterruped lunch break. And I said so to all the teachers. Hang in there. One of the beautiful things about this gig is that we're on our kids' schedules - most of the time. I am guessing your district doesn't have a program where your kid can be bussed back to your school? Both districts I work in provide this courtesy service to employees.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

When teachers gripe to me about missing lunch or prep I usually give them the "look". I actually have taken to leaving the building during my lunches. It took a little time for everyone to get it and quite a few frantic texts and phone calls that the sky was falling, but now I think that the rest of the building is starting to realize that the ouchies and 3 day old headaches really will survive for the 42 minutes that i'm out of the office. Who-a thunk it??

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Specializes in School Nurse.

What is their reasoning for wanting you to stay later?

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We had one issue with a student earlier this year who had already been dismissed for the day and someone other than me had to figure things out. They complained, threw the principal for a loop, who then went to the superintendent. Superintendent is now claiming "contractual hours" as in everyone is supposed to start and end at these speific times. However, my current schedule (while meeting the specified contractual hours in the union contract) was agreed upon when they changed my schedule a few years ago...unfortunately, it was just verbally and not signed.

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On 12/6/2019 at 8:11 AM, ruby_jane said:

I am guessing your district doesn't have a program where your kid can be bussed back to your school? Both districts I work in provide this courtesy service to employees.

No, I don't work in my kids' district.

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On 12/5/2019 at 11:37 PM, amoLucia said:

I'd be curious why they're so nasty about your sched now.?

I wonder is they already have someone waiting in the wings for your position?

I don't think there's someone waiting persae, but I think there is some sort of plan.

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This was me last year. I started at my first job in the Fall of 2015 at a brand new school and built that school health program from the ground up. I loved my job and did a lot for the school and the students. As each year approached, they asked me to increase my hours and I agreed. Fast forward to the Spring of 2018 and they asked if I could do 7:30-4. I agreed to do 8-2:30 and they said either work until 3:30 or I don't have a job ? . I was really hurt but agreed to work 7:45-3:30. The 2018-2019 school year was really really hard. I felt all year that I should have just left and my heart just wasn't into it. I spent the year anxious that I wasn't there for my kids after school and also felt a lot of guilt. I let them know in the Spring of 2019 that I would not be coming back. I have since found an amazing position that perfectly suits my needs in terms of hours and I now get to work with an amazing cohort of nurses in the district. Definitely follow your heart and gut.

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Specializes in School nursing.

I work 7:30-4:30, mainly because we have after school tutoring and programming that goes until 4:30 in our MS. But that programming is only until 4:30 Tuesday-Thursday, so I do often get to leave at 3:30/4 on Mondays/Fridays.

First time I gave an Epi-pen at school was when a student with a peanut allergy accidentally ate a peanut butter twix during Dance Club after school (on a Friday!).

But I knew this day one and it is in my signed contract. And when I look at the salary thread, I also realize I'm doing pretty okay for a school nurse salary. But the day is LONG, I will say! I'm also always early so often work 7-4:30/5. And I don't kids and likely won't have kids. If I did, this schedule wouldn't work. We have teachers at my school with kids and pick-up situations that work a 0.9 or less schedule and leave right after school or don't teach last period and leave before school ends or arrive at school later and don't teach 1st period.

For them to change it up on you mid-stream seems like them being a butt.

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