I miss you guys

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Nov 17, 2017

Hi, are you anywhere near NY? We don't have the same requirements here!

I am close enough to NY that I could commute but not close enough that it would be convenient! That's another issue with my current job. It's one hour away from my house, longer on the way home because of rush hour. I didn't mind the commute upon hire because when I work a regular 9-5 day I am home relatively quickly. However, I have been expected to come in early to do the med pass, stay late to do admissions, work on weekends because we are short staffed. Most nights during the week I am not home until 7 or so and some nights it's close to 8, 9 or even 10. I don't mind helping out but I was never told it would be expected of me to work these extra hours every week. That may have swayed my decision.

No job is perfect but school nursing was pretty damn close. I'm going to go for it!!

kidzcare · Nov 17, 2017

No job is perfect but school nursing was pretty damn close. I'm going to go for it!!

Woo!!

Windchaser22 · Nov 18, 2017

The wedding was lovely! Thanks for asking, we had a great time. I'm a married lady now!
So, in NJ as I may have mentioned before, requires a post grad SN certificate to work in a school here. Now that the wedding is over I have been seriously looking into programs in my area. Some schools will hire you if you are enrolled and working towards the certificate as well so I really think this will be the right move for me. I am paid very well for my current position but that is really the only perk and it truly isn't worth it anymore. Life is too short! I was a good SN and I really loved it.
I'll keep you guys posted about this new development. Thank you all so much for always listening.

Miss you too! FYI I did mine at Rutgers...online and asynchronous. If you are in or near northwest NJ you could do your clinical with me if you wanted to. Good luck!!

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Nov 20, 2017

Miss you too! FYI I did mine at Rutgers...online and asynchronous. If you are in or near northwest NJ you could do your clinical with me if you wanted to. Good luck!!

Rutgers is one of the programs I was looking into! Monmouth and Caldwell have programs as well. Did you enjoy the Rutgers program?

100kids, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2017

Hope you can work it all out and go back to being a School Nurse! Hang in there!

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Nov 21, 2017

I am not ignoring you folks. I check the threads regularly. I just never have time to provide the witty, brilliant and hilarious responses you all have come to expect from me
This assistant director gig is running me ragged. Not at ALL what was promised during my interview and nothing could have prepared me for this job. I'm feeling a little stuck and I am driving my new husband batty with all my crying about work.
I've been doing some reflecting and trying to remember the last time I was really happy with work. The answer was, obviously, when I was working in the school. It really was the most fulfilling job I've ever had and I miss it so much. And I miss you guys, the best coworkers ever.
I'm feeling blue. Thanks for reading.

I also took a more managerial job this year and although I still love the schedule and being in the same building as my kids I'm feeling less and less like a nurse and I'm also feeling stuck. My kids are so excited to have me here and I do like the people I work with but this has become 100% a desk job which is what I wanted to avoid when I decided to begin a second career as a nurse. Plus dealing with all the crap (like CONSTANT staffing issues) and none of the fun.

I miss feeling like an actual nurse. I know I was burned out in the NICU but I've been itching to go back. I haven't worked a per diem shift in a month because the needs in my area have dried up a bit unless I want to drive nearly an hour to another hospital, which I don't!

Sorry for hijacking your post to moan and groan about my own problems but I just wanted you to know that I can relate. This really isn't fun anymore.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Nov 21, 2017

I also took a more managerial job this year and although I still love the schedule and being in the same building as my kids I'm feeling less and less like a nurse and I'm also feeling stuck. My kids are so excited to have me here and I do like the people I work with but this has become 100% a desk job which is what I wanted to avoid when I decided to begin a second career as a nurse. Plus dealing with all the crap (like CONSTANT staffing issues) and none of the fun.
I miss feeling like an actual nurse. I know I was burned out in the NICU but I've been itching to go back. I haven't worked a per diem shift in a month because the needs in my area have dried up a bit unless I want to drive nearly an hour to another hospital, which I don't!
Sorry for hijacking your post to moan and groan about my own problems but I just wanted you to know that I can relate. This really isn't fun anymore.

No need to apologize! A voluntary change that makes you unhappy is extra difficult because you CHOSE to do it and you feel like it's your own fault

I am so happy to be back in NJ. I missed my family, the beach, the universal worship of Mr. Springsteen. I just also miss the school. My kiddos still ask about me even though there is a new nurse and that warms my heart.

rbytsdy · Nov 22, 2017

I did my certification work through Rowan even though I was living in central NJ at the time. I only had to make the trip down to Rowan 3 Saturdays each semester (6 visits total although I missed one because I was working so I really only got down there 5 times). I think the cert is important but I'm sure it keeps a lot of nurses out of school nursing! It's a solid year of courses.

Good luck with your decisions!

momto5RN · Nov 25, 2017

Hope you don't mind me jumping in as well but I left school nursing as well after two school years and just started working as a dialysis nurse. Holy crap, it is information overload!!! I feel like I am in nursing school all over again and even have a 100 question exam after my 8 weeks of training are done after Christmas. I'm not too sure if I like it yet. Bonus is that it pays well and has decent health insurance. I just miss my little students so much! I also live in NJ. I am not school nurse certified. I know public schools here require that. But private schools in NJ don't or at least the one I worked in did not. They just required an RN. I plan to eventually go back for the BSN and school nurse certificate. Wishing you the best!! Congratulations on the wedding!!

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Nov 27, 2017

I did my certification work through Rowan even though I was living in central NJ at the time. I only had to make the trip down to Rowan 3 Saturdays each semester (6 visits total although I missed one because I was working so I really only got down there 5 times). I think the cert is important but I'm sure it keeps a lot of nurses out of school nursing! It's a solid year of courses.
Good luck with your decisions!

I went to Rowan before I decided to switch to nursing! I loved it. I also live in central NJ so maybe that will be doable. Definitely cheaper than Monmouth.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Nov 30, 2017

I applied! 2 applications in. We will see...

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Dec 14, 2017

I got in! Orientation on 1/10. This is exciting. Also exciting...

I resigned from the "bit off more than I could chew" assistant director position. My mental health was going to wind up suffering and I can't do that to myself. I took a job at the hospital where I worked as a BRAND NEW nurse and I am truly so excited to be going back. My friends all still work there. The schedule will be better for when I am in school, the pay is less than what I make now but still very good and this director position really provided me with some perspective. I used to SWEAR I would never go back to the bedside full time but the grass really isn't greener on this side of the fence. The hospital will have its own struggles, of course, but I truly think this is the right thing for me. I feel good.

For the first time in a while, I feel good.