struggling...

Specialties School

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***admin, please don't repost***

Yesterday, I was desperately trying to take in last minute paperwork for exclusions (not sure how it works in other states, but in my state, students have until Oct 15th to turn in physical and immunization paperwork. If they don't have it turned in by that date, they're excluded from school until it is turned in). Naturally, everyone waits until the last minute, leaving me swamped. It's super important to me to know who can and cannot come to school, so that was my priority yesterday. Enter in my diabetic who can be manipulative and is low enough to not feel stable to go to class, but mom refuses to pick him up... he stayed in my office for 3 1/2 HOURS. I had more weird phone calls from teachers and even more kids coming in with my nursing diagnosis of "The Mondays."

In between all of that, I had 3 different administrators call me making me stop what I was doing to handle 3 separate "emergencies" at my other building (yes, I cover 2 buildings). PS-they weren't emergencies, they truly could have waited until today, even. Worse is that the health aid over there could have easily handled 2 of the issues. BUT, while they trust her enough to deal with true emergencies, handle the day to day care of diabetics, and pass out medications (in my state, only an RN or administrator is allowed), they won't let her do the simplest tasks because "that's only the job a nurse can do." Other than the health aid and the fabulous secretaries at my other building, there is no communication from there, yet I'm expected to know what is going on and expected to drop my mandates to put out fires.

I'm struggling here, guys. I'm struggling to feel comfortable with the demands they're putting on me, I'm struggling to be in 2 places at once, and at the same time, I'm also struggling to feel like a "real" nurse. I have been thinking a lot about my old outpatient job. I'm not sure if it is the job itself (I really miss starting IVs lol!), the general sense of comradery, not feeling so professionally isolated, or is the fact that I just know my district completely takes advantage of me. I do enjoy my job most days and the schedule works best for my family, so those are huge bonuses.

Anyway, thanks to you all for being here and thanks for letting me vent.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Hugs to you. You're drowning for sure. But this is temporary. It was a rough day. Today may be better. Do you have a health director who's a nurse who can go to bat for you with your admin in the other schools? Is there policy that dictates what the aides can do or how you can delegate?

This too shall pass. We believe in you.

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I miss starting IVs, too.

You *are* a nurse, you're an RN.

You *can't* be 2 places at once.

You know what a true emergency is. Triage accordingly. They don't know your job. Your JOBS.

"I will get there after XYZ, meanwhile, can I speak to the aide, please?"

Then go from there.

Document. Rinse. Repeat PRN.

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I'm sorry you feel so overwhelmed right now. It's definitely hard when you feel pulled in every direction. I have days like that too and at the end of the day, I can only do so much. I have to force myself to actually prioritize everything because in the moment of drowning, everything feels like top priority! I remember when I was still in HS, and I was overwhelmed, my mom used to make me answer what I thought was the dumbest question ever: How do you eat an elephant? The answer: One bite at a time. It wasn't until I was an adult that I really got the meaning!! Its hard to know what needs to be done first when everything is thrown at you at once. Maybe you can try making a list of what needs to be addressed right now and what can wait until later. I too cover multiple campuses and it can sometimes feel like you just leave them out. The only way I survive is through my admin assistants on each campus! They're true gems for keeping me informed and in the loop. Its impossible for you to know every single thing when you're there and even more so when you're not there all of the time.

Try not to let those few rough days dictate the majority of the good ones; they'll steal your sunshine! Chin up, Jess! You're doing great!

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I'm so happy to have yesterday over with, for the same reason!

I got my list of excluded kids down to 2, so I'm feeling good about that. I feel like the more I have to do that is time-sensitive, the more needy the kids here get!

I miss drawing blood and starting IVs, so I get that. But, I try to remind myself that I don't miss out on family time by having this schedule, so it really is worth the headache.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Student health and safety is top priority...everything else comes after that in some fashion or the other. October 15th, 2018 is history. Guess what, the school opened today. Maybe you took care of everyone...maybe you didn't. Loosen your grip on yourself and unreasonable expectations you are taking ownership of.

Returning to "my old job" is usually a mistake.

If your administrators have any issues with you have them contact me here on AN and I'll talk to them...

I'll quote a favorite line from Sargent Hulka to Francis "Psycho" Soyer from the movie Stripes..."Lighten up Francis."

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I find that creating deadlines a few days before the actual deadline helps!! Maybe next year make your deadline 10-12 for processing time...

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