School Nurse is a Lonely job

[TaylsRN]

I am new to the school nursing field. I have spent most of my 5 years of experience in the Intensive Care Unit. I was ready for a huge change, and huge I got. I absolutely LOVE school nursing. I am in an inner city school with great hours and great students, but it's so lonely. I am in an office at the end of the hallway. I have state testing paperwork and boxes in my office so the door must remain shut. I see students and the occasional teacher but that is it. I am not included in the school meetings or aware of activities going on in school. I was not even notified of a lockdown at the school, I have no walkie talkie like the rest of the teachers/no one called me to inform me (!). I have tried to reach out to the principle about setting up a wellness week or getting more involved and it's like pulling teeth. I love my job and everything about it, I just wish it wasn't such a lonely job. Surely I am not the only one that feels this way. ������

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

This is a common thread in school nursing. We are your nurses station now and here for you, but there is still isolation, and in your case, you are physically isolated from your school. I have the ability to walk around the school, but I am a low volume office and we do have walkie talkies. Sounds like the culture of your school is that the nurse is not really staff, seen as maybe more of a volunteer. Do you go to school wide meetings before school starts? You may want to ask for next year, that may be a way to insert yourself with the teachers.

[Cattz, ADN]

No. You are not alone. Glad you bellied up to out Nurses Desk with us. Just keep working at it. Maybe the nurse before didn't want to feel involved. If you keep at it, eventually, you will begin to make your way into the educational circle. Until then, you aren't alone, we are all right hear gathered around together. Are there after school activities that you can go to?

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

This is my first year as a school nurse too after nearly 3 years in NICU. I am often very lonely as well. I really miss being physically surrounded by other nurses. More than I thought I would.

I'm not sure I like school nursing. And I definitely don't love it. Yet? But the schedule works better for my family. And I'm told come June when I can look forward to 3 long months off that it'll be worth it. The thought of summer vacation where I can spend lots of time with my two little girls keeps me going when I want to give up and run back to the hospital.

Like the previous posters said this board has become my group of co-workers. I just wish we could all go out for Happy Hour together when school's out! :)

[TaylsRN]

Thank you guys for the kind words. I'm with an agency for school nurses in my tristate area so I'm technically employeed through them and did all of my training and meetings with them but they are located 4hours away so any meetings they have are almost always too far ofna drive for a couple hours. I guess the school has not had a true full time nurse for over two years, So I am the first nurse that has been here for a while. I started at the school after school started so that could be part of it as well. I honestly don't know what activities go on in the school but I have offered to volunteer if needed and have not heard anything, I guess I'll just keep trying , hopefully before summer I can break the ice here. I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

[TaylsRN]

Ah yes I think that's what I miss is being surrounded with coworkers and friends, I sometimes think about going back to the hospital too but the hours and holidays/summers off is worth it. Having a happy hour would be amazing! If only!

[BeckyESRN]

My first year, I found that attending field trips-instead of sending a sub- really helped me get to know the teachers and vice versa. I'm still left out of meetings and such, but at least I know some of the staff a bit better. Also, as much as it pained me, eating lunch in the teacher's lounge helped.

As far as the lock down goes, that is unacceptable! Tell the principal that you need a walkie, especially for medial emergencies! Hang out here, we'll be your colleagues and your nurses' station!

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

I am working with a staffing agency to pick up the occasional shift at NICUs around town (we have lots and lots of hospitals) because a) we are saving for a big road trip to Alaska next summer! 2) I miss my friends! and 3) I want to keep my NICU nursing skills fresh in case I do decide to go back to hospital nursing when my daughters are older.

I think the balance will be good for me and the craziness of a hospital shift will make me grateful for the quiet of the school health office. Plus I get to completely control when I work so I can still have holidays and summers off.

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

I make myself eat lunch with the teachers too. It helps. I don't think we're going to be bosom buddies but at least they know who the heck I am.

[TaylsRN]

Thank you BeckyESRN, I have addressed it with them, they are suppose to be putting a speaker in and giving me a walkie talkie and key (I have to ask for my office to be unlocked every morning ). They are working on all of this just at a very slow place. Thank goodness it was a soft lockdown, because I had let some students leave the office before I found out about it.

[TaylsRN]

Maybe I spoke too soon. The science teacher just asked if I would like to teach her students about STI's when she does her reproductive section haha making my way up!

[MHDNURSE]

Like the previous posters said this board has become my group of co-workers. I just wish we could all go out for Happy Hour together when school's out! :)

Amen! That would be amazing!