Apologizing to you all

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I'm sorry if I'm coming off that I hate School Nursing, when that's the opposite. I'm only a CMA, not an nurse and I'm honestly trying my best with these children and parents. I'm doing well lately, but some of these parents are just too much sometimes. I'm stuck between this spot where I'm not a nurse and I can't tell them what I think without sounding like I'm diagnosing, and trying to have this position where I can tell them what to do to a point, but once they learn I'm not a real nurse, I feel they take advantage of this and try to treat me like I'm nothing. I'm not nothing and I have the education to help their children, but it's hard when I don't have anyone listening to me, especially when it comes to their children.

So I'm sorry if my post are sounding bitter or cynical, but I'm just trying to find somewhere to vent to get some support and advice to things that I'm not sure what to do. I wasn't trained in this and all I was told when I got hired was do this on the computer and that's it, nothing about what to do if the child can't breathe, or what to do if you get an angry parent. So please do not hate me for what I write, I write the way it happened and I see it and I want to see what you guys write and I take that as way to learn what to do in the future.

Thank you for your time.

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I'm glad you enjoy your job. Are you planning to go to nursing school?

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I am, I really like this part of nursing and would love to become an nurse to actually have the experience and title to go with it and help the students better.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Well you'll certainly get advice from me - even if you're not asking for it. Hang in there! :yes:

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I'm right here learning beside you, even if I have RN behind my name instead of CMA. It makes no difference - we learn by doing, asking, educating ourselves all of the time. None of us were born into this with 40 years experience - I wish I was, trust me! It would make every day much easier. Keep advocating for the children. They are the reason we are here! :up:

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

If it makes you feel any better, I am a nurse, with a degree and 15 years of experience plus 17 years of military medical experience...and I still have parents who say "well you ARE just a nurse...". So I think there are people who, no matter what, will dump on the school nurse. Because they aren't one.

Hey, if you weren't one of us, wouldn't you be jealous of us?:smug:

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
If it makes you feel any better, I am a nurse, with a degree and 15 years of experience plus 17 years of military medical experience...and I still have parents who say "well you ARE just a nurse...". So I think there are people who, no matter what, will dump on the school nurse. Because they aren't one.

Hey, if you weren't one of us, wouldn't you be jealous of us?:smug:

Especially on Wednesdays!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Don't fret the small stuff. Most of us realize venting here. I admit to cringing when I see name calling, but our society uses it so much that I understand where it comes from, and I don't judge a person on it. Your posts are honest, and, from what I see, you have a great insight. Please continue your education and get paid for that knowledge.

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Especially on Wednesdays!

:laugh:

Amethya, your post is exactly why we are all here for one another. Just hold our hands and we will help you. You will do the same for us.

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There's a huge learning curve to all of this. And you literally can't make all parents/guardians happy with what you do. It can be overwhelmingly frustrating sometimes. (I've been known to use some not nice words under my breath when I'm in my office all alone!) Take it a day at a time, and it sounds like you're focusing on the right thing with looking to learn and debrief your encounters!

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

Thank you everyone! I'm trying my best and hopefully I don't get another bad emergency or an angry parent today, but I'll do my best! :3

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

School nursing is tough, despite the great hours and schedule. As the school nurse, we deal with rude and/or angry parents, teachers who expect us to send a kid home because he sneezed 3 times or has a runny nose, and kids with multiple somatic complaints that may be real or imagined! Flu season is upon us, and I have sent home 28 children in the last 3 school days. The pay is low. I miss being a mental health nurse and having one-on-one time with my psych patients. I miss earning a decent salary. I don't know if I'll be returning in the fall, or if I will seek out a position as a mental health nurse. Yes, I will have to work some weekends and holidays, but I found that more fulfilling than school nursing. We shall see! Keep your chin up, OP!

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