School Nurses, I salute you!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I have had the best relationships with the school nurses in my kids schools. Especially pertaining one son in particular that was always trying to get out of school. When he lived with his dad he missed SOOO MUCH school. But when he lived with me the first time he went to the nurses office and she called me and she found out I too was a nurse and we chatted. She didn't put up with his shenanigans. 3 different schools had the same rapport with and never had an issue and he would be sent back to class. Another son he ended up having a vasovagal response and went down. Nurse didn't hear of the event leading to the event and she was just told he passed out and was shaking. She called the ER where I worked unsure if they should call EMS or if I wanted to pick him up. I asked her what did her gut tell her and she said that although she is unsure if he had a seizure like students and teacher reported, he did pass out and hit his head pretty hard and she felt uncomfortable moving him and she felt like we should go ahead and call EMS. So that's what we did. She later thanked me for not trying to put her down and question her judgment. I guess she was newer and and finding her confidence. Again, great relationship.

So I just wanted to say I love y'all. A thread I was active in was moved to this forum so I was reading around a bit.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

That's really, really nice of you. Also it's awesome that you realize that she's on the ground and can see your kid whereas you know your kid, know the history, but can't actually see the kid.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Great post many thanks!!

[moreoreo]

Thanks for the great post and salute! (I so appreciate ED nurses, too! A few of my classmates from nursing school worked in the ED and tried to "recruit" me but ED nursing really takes a certain kind of person to do it that I wish I could be but am not!) There are so many nurses in so many different settings, each with its struggles, but we are all trying to accomplish the same good things. We gotta stick up for each other, and help each other when we can as we are all experts in our area of choice! I appreciate that you understood where the newer nurse was coming from. I think it was resourceful of her to call you both as his mom and as a nurse who is specialized. Great teamwork!! I love that you asked her what her gut said because sometimes that is all that can tip the scale in an uncertain situation, esp. in school nursing where we don't have as many tools!

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

There are so many nurses in so many different settings, each with its struggles, but we are all trying to accomplish the same good things. We gotta stick up for each other, and help each other when we can as we are all experts in our area of choice!

This is SO true. I have gotten many snide remarks from my former coworkers in the hospital about how school nursing is so soft, such an "easy job" and so on. But then, when I worked m/s in the hospital, I got similar comments from ICU and ED nurses about how m/s is a piece of cake!

The fact of the matter is, nursing is HARD. No matter where you do it, which specialty you are in or which facility. Nursing is incredibly challenging, important and we are ALL being asked to do more with less. We really do need to start supporting and encouraging each other. God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Osiris, Zeus, Odin and whichever other deity you choose to believe in all know that we certainly don't get support and encouragement from anyone else!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

This is SO true. I have gotten many snide remarks from my former coworkers in the hospital about how school nursing is so soft, such an "easy job" and so on. But then, when I worked m/s in the hospital, I got similar comments from ICU and ED nurses about how m/s is a piece of cake!

The fact of the matter is, nursing is HARD. No matter where you do it, which specialty you are in or which facility. Nursing is incredibly challenging, important and we are ALL being asked to do more with less. We really do need to start supporting and encouraging each other. God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Osiris, Zeus, Odin and whichever other deity you choose to believe in all know that we certainly don't get support and encouragement from anyone else!

I have always been a firm believer that as an ER nurse, my nursing wasn't easier or harder then M/S, ICU, Psych, School. It's just a different type of struggle.

I couldn't do med/surge nursing. I know a lot of ER nurses that couldn't go back to floor nursing (if they had before) and it wasn't because "it would just be too easy" but it's a different type of nursing and it comes with it's own pros and cons.

We have to do what suits our personality best and where we can be happy. My biggest pet peeve is burned out nurses still working in units they hate. They bring everyone down, their attitude is carried over to their patients and we work in a field where there is so much variety there is no reason to be stuck. This isn't wal-mart where you can't get away. You can't stand patient's get an office nursing job or work in an area where you patients are sedated.

I feel I have peeked as an ER nurse and like my learning has become stagnant and I am looking at trying something new, I actually am considering things I never thought I would like before.

But I agree, we need to support and uplift each other. In the nursing field and in our everyday lives. Kindness is free. Encouragement and empowerment is free. But the effects can last a long time.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I am looking at trying something new, I actually am considering things I never thought I would like before. QUOTE]

Come to the school nursing side....we have saltines....

But I agree, we need to support and uplift each other. In the nursing field and in our everyday lives. Kindness is free. Encouragement and empowerment is free. But the effects can last a long time.

Amen!

[WineRN]

Come to the school nursing side....we have saltines....

I want this on a shirt.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Come to the ED, we have propofol. HAHAHA

I actually am considering more community type nursing. Especially in low income areas, dealing with homeless populations. One of the homeless non-profit centers here has a medical clinic. I really want to do more serving in the community and education to those that need it most.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

HAHAHA!! You win!!!

Check out opportunities in public health. Infectious disease, maybe some vaccine clinics, and the odd case of rabies.