I Am A Nurse Too

Specialties School

Published

I recently met up with two friends from high school for a girl's night out and my career choice suddenly became the topic of the conversation. I am a 27-yr old school nurse. I graduated nursing school about 3 years ago, and attained my BSN the following year. About 5 months after graduating nursing school, I took a position as a nurse manager of a clinic. It was my first real, full time position as a nurse and it was very challenging. I love challenges! Before this, I worked for about 2 months as a substitute school nurse.

Although I learned a lot from the nurse manager position, I worked 6 days a week sometimes, 1-2 weekends a month, 12 hour days, sometimes longer if we had patients past closing, ordered supplies, managed staff old enough to be my mother, and ran up and down constantly. I did all this while finishing my BSN, and pregnant with my last child.

Needless to say it wasn't fun. I almost hated nursing then. I had a school age child who I didn't really see most days. And forget about helping with his homework. By the time I got home, I was too tired and it was too late. I also had a 2-yr old who I barely played with. I couldn't even understand him sometimes, but daddy always knew what he was saying! I stayed at this position for a little over a year and couldn't bring myself to go back after my daughter was born.

I decided to go back to my school nurse agency per diem. I worked with them about 2-3 days a week, from 9am to 3pm, no weekends, home in time to make dinner, take the kids to the park, and energized enough to actually spend time with them. I was hooked! I applied for a full time school nurse position and was accepted. My school aged child goes to my school, so I can keep an eye on him. We leave together, and for the most part, go home together. My 2-yr old is now 4 and will be attending pre-K at my school. I don't have to worry about childcare or after school care. I get home before 4, help with homework, play with my beautiful daughter, talk to my 4-yr old about his day, feed them, and put them to bed.

So when my friend told me that I am lazy because I am not in bedside nursing and not taking the nursing world by storm, I was slightly offended at first. She felt that I did not have the passion for nursing that I should have. I told her that I did go into nursing to help people and that I do that every day. I told her that my greatest passion is my family. I told her how school nursing allows me to be with my family.

What good is it to work so much and be disconnected from those who I work so hard for? My children should not have to be the sacrifice for my career. I love children and school nursing helps me be a nurse and work with children. While I am not "downing" bedside nursing or any other nursing field out there, I am happy to do what I do. That is the beauty of nursing. I can work in administration, with computers, in a hospital, nursing home, clinic, and yes, in schools as well. Everyone can find their niche in nursing, and I do believe I have found mine!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Sounds like your friend was jealous....I'm glad you found what works for you!!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You found your niche....:yes: let your "friend's" comments roll off your back. :nurse:

Congrats on finding your niche in nursing!!!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

How fun is it to be in the grocery store and see some little tyke pull on mom's pants and say "that's my nurse!". That's a treat that institutional nurses just don't experience. So stand tall and be proud. I wouldn't trade.

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I have battled with this. I feel like my friends and a cousin who is a critical nurse nurse feels this way. However, being a school nurse has been very rewarding to me thus far. I'm not saying I will stay here forever but right now this job is a very good fit for my family. I AM a NURSE my license and job description say so and the love from the children does as well.

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

I can handle a fragile diabetic with my hands tied behind my back. Most of my "taking the world by storm nurses"....can't. I can do many things that my hospital nurses can't. We all have our talents and loves. NONE of my hospital/clinic/critical care/hospice friends can say that every day they leave their job smiling. I can.

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Specializes in kids.

Just wait until HEr kids need a school nurse!!! Her tune will change then!

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, IMCU, ED, med-surg.

I worked with a WONDERFUL ICU nurse who left to take a school nurse position. Doubt she would have done that if it wasn't a REAL nurse role. Stick to your guns...only you can live your life!

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You rock! Thats all i can say. Many migh not understand u, but who cares!

They shud be happy for u if they're reallt ur trye friend!!

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By the way, I have a pending application as a school nurse, and i im lucky enough i'll get an interview.. i wud love to hear some advise from u?

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Specializes in critical care.

I'm offended on your behalf! As a woman, as a future nurse who wants to go into school nursing (or OB....not sure yet), and as a mother. I feel like when we are mothers, we should always lift each other up and cheer on the decisions each other makes that include room for happiness. We should applaud the women around us who are able to do it all - have the job they love and balance family life as well. And yet, some women just fail at that. COMPLETELY. Women who pick apart professional decisions, or family decisions, that other women make need to just go somewhere on an island and leave the rest of us happy people alone. For real. How is working with growing children, attending their ongoing and acute needs simultaneously, NOT taking the nursing world by storm??? You have a direct impact on these growing little people. That is a great place to be!

You be the best mommy and nurse you know how to be. You have just reached a goal that I hope to achieve after I graduate. Congratulations on landing the job that fills all of your passions! You tell her she can't take your happiness because you know that you make your own happiness (quite successfully, it sounds like).

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When I first started school nursing, I felt like I had to defend my role as a nurse to all my other nurse friends as well. But then I had a summer break, plus holidays and spring break(and still get paid)....I got over it real quick!! I get to take my kids to school and they come to my office after work and we leave together. I don't have to miss anything!! Yea, the money isn't great, and it's not the ER(well sometimes it is!), but I wouldn't trade it!!

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