Stress Level

SassyTachyRN · Apr 13, 2017

Wow... Aren't current recommendations one nurse per 750 kiddos. Would your school system hire another? Are vision & hearing screens for all a state requirement? We only have to do certain grades. I have little to nothing to do with IEPs...isn't that what the SpEd teacher is for?

Same here in regards to IEP's. The SpEd teacher writes the medical portion when they do the IEP by asking the medical questions via interview with the parent. I usually learn things about the kid by reading the medical portion of the IEP, heh. I've had to ask to be involved in some of my kids IEP meetings like my CF kids.... my principal does put me in all medical 504's though.

I'd put my foot down about the vision and hearing though and just state... state requirements only require these be done in grades x, y, z whether the kid is gen ed or sped. In the past in another district, I wrote in an IEP vision blah blah in 8th grade, date 00/00/0000, when the kid was in 10th grade.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2017

I provide medical info for the evals/IEPs, but I don't have to write them. The Sped teachers do. I'm in a charter. I have started writing/updating more of our 504s, though. I do all my screenings myself. I have BMI and postural to get through after break. I also teach health classes. I'm exhausted still, but less stressed. Sure, I take things home, but in my 4th year I've also learned how I need to let some things go or I can't function. That took time and is a process. You really get to know some kids!

Charter isn't always on the greener side of pasture. Sure, less kiddos, but longer school day (I work 7-5 PM most days), depending on the charter by state. MA is pretty tough; charters have to meet very similar public education guidelines (including all the SPED guidelines, so IEP and 504s)) and get audited by our department of education. Charters must be renewed every 5 years and it is a process.

My school is in a high need, urban area. The counselors are equally swamped (we have 2 for 700 kids, plus an additional 2 outside counselors that come in each day to meet with students) and I end up with a lot overflow in my office to manage. Middle School is tough. It's transition and also when mental health disorders can truly manifest as well as be the first time some kids coping skills are really put to the test. Plus, middle school kids are just sometimes plain mean to each other. Much more than I see in my high school population.

OldDude · Apr 13, 2017

You can vent here any time! Like I said, that's a lot of kids and stuff to do. But I know and you know that a lot of the stress you are experiencing is self inflicted because of your type of personality...eh? Try to keep everything in perspective. Safety, Security, Health, followed by all the administrative stuff, if the safety, security, and health of the students allows time for that - if not, "oh well!" It'll get done tomorrow or not. Remember the state requirements are for the school district and not you personally. It's not "YOUR" problem if screenings can't get done because you aren't allowed the time by a higher priority in your job scope.

Classroom size is restricted for a reason.

I've "gone back" to a job twice in my life - both were big mistakes.

Bud Light will also help. Best of luck toward your decision.

foggnm · Apr 13, 2017

In general it should be less stress as a career choice. In fact I consider my school job to have almost zero stress. Or at least zero stress in relation to what I was used to in the ER or ICU. However, if you're in a district where the nurse is overtasked or even a particular school with a large population and a lot of visits, etc and you're working alone then I can see how it could be more stress. If I was in your shoes, I'd see if my peer school nurses have the same experience or if it is just problems at the school you are at. If all the nurses in your district feel that way then it is a district/management problem. If only you feel that way then it is either a school problem or maybe just not a good fit for you.