Sick of nurses "referring" to our specialty

[Jedrnurse]

Just read yet ANOTHER post from a new grad crashing and burning in their first job getting a variation of this advice:

"Why don't you try something easier/less stressful like being a school nurse?"

I don't know about y'all, but I am OVER other nurses assuming that this is an appropriate position for a brand new nurse. Of course there are exceptions, but exceptions are by definition, exceptional.

Thoughts, anyone?

[tining, BSN, RN]

Had a staff member say after I spent quite a bit of time helping them and my thoughts about what was happening WERE CORRECT, tell me well you're just a school nurse.

Straitened that assessment of me right out.

[WineRN]

I think I've shared before, but I totally went into this role thinking it was going to be easy peasy lemon squeezy but BOY did that lemon squirt me in the eye right from the start lol

I always say that this job was not what I expected but it is so much more and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.

[amoLucia]

On 1/31/2020 at 4:26 PM, WineRN said:

I think I've shared before, but I totally went into this role thinking it was going to be easy peasy lemon squeezy but BOY did that lemon squirt me in the eye right from the start LOL

I always say that this job was not what I expected but it is so much more and more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.

This is precious. (my bolding)

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

On 1/31/2020 at 9:40 AM, BiscuitRN said:

It takes outrageous amounts of confidence in your assessment skills, knowledge of emergency care, understanding of federal and local laws, ability to work in multi-specialty teams, ability to stay calm under pressure, confidence in directing lay people in an emergency, and the ability to look something up while not looking like you're looking it up. And triaging skills! And education skills! It was a huge learning curve for me since I only had 2 years experience as a nurse before starting at a school. I had to really prove myself in my interview too. People can say whatever they're going to say. Maybe they're just jelly of this sweet schedule.

This quote made me laugh because at hubby's school the nurse was giving a presentation and kept referring to them as "lay people" and he got so mad about it. I said "so what would you rather she call you, dear?" I also went on a five minute rant when he told a co-worker said "oh, now they want us to be first responders, too?!" Excuse me? Like really? Hands only CPR is beneficial for everyone to know, just ask my husband who assisted me twice with CPR.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

One peruse of our forum will show that any new nurse (< 3 years experience) is strongly encouraged to move on will quickly change their thought. Sorry, no, many of my unit nurses say they would never be this isolated in decision making, but then again, they have a physician sitting right next to them.

[Nursesusu]

I personally like the "flying by the seat of my pants" that I have to do daily. I came to school nursing 5 years ago from bedside oncology care and prior to that, ltc. For the first week, I was terrified, even as an experienced nurse. I was solely responsible for "other people's children". I remember thinking What the hell was I thinking?? The first year was a learning experience. I would never recommend school nursing for a brand new grad. We really are on our own, for the most part. We have to heavily rely on our critical thinking and assessment skills. People who assume that school nursing is easy have obviously never ventured into a sn office.

[nursex23, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, MrNurse(x2) said:

many of my unit nurses say they would never be this isolated in decision making, but then again, they have a physician sitting right next to them.

That has by far been the most difficult thing about school nursing. Even having another nurse to bounce some thoughts off of would be great.

I came here after 1 year in the hospital and sometimes I feel like a deer in the headlights. I could not imagine being brand new or even a few months in and being totally on your own. On the flip side, it is nice to call the parent and put the situation in their hands.

I think what's so appealing about school nursing to new nurses is that it's not nearly as stressful as working in a hospital in terms of acuity, patient load, admissions, talking to doctors, etc. All of these things, you get used to as time goes on. But I see that many newbies want to tap out and work somewhere "less stressful" and I will admit this job is wayy less stressful, but it doesn't mean it's easy, especially when you're new and haven't honed in on your assessment or decision making skills or had much experience talking to family members.

If any new grads come across this and are thinking of switching to school nursing, my biggest advice would be to wait to leave the hospital until you are confident in your assessment, time management, and prioritization skills. Also, make sure you are running towards something you love and not running away from something you don't.

[SchoolNurse91, BSN, RN]

I became a school nurse with little experience. 6 months of pediatric home health. I'm now over 8 years in and I'm pretty confident..but man! There are still situations that have me like "What do I even do?"

I would never encourage a new new in this position. You must be very confident and have great assessment skills.

[Animal House R.N., ADN, CNA, LVN]

Hey guys I would never say school nursing is easy. I have one kid is bipolar and ADHD and the other is a control freak with Vocal cord dysfunction. And y all do this time too *** many. There is no way I would touch it.

[OldDude]

You guys are completely and totally awesome! Snatching kids from the jaws of death like you were going to pick up supper from the grocery store. All of you are God’s “crew.” Amazing. Love ya!!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

One other thing I will say stress wise for this job: you learn to love the kids. You get to see them grow. Celebrate milestones. Become functioning people. If you work in a HS, you see them off to life in the more "real" world.

And therefore when one of them experiences a crisis - for me always involving mental health - you likely are affected by it. Not saying that doesn't happen in the hospital setting, of course, but in my position I spend 6+ years with these kids.

I don't have any kids of my own. I get asked why. I tell folks I'm a school nurse and I already have 500 kids I care greatly for.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

I don't have any kids of my own. I get asked why. I tell folks I'm a school nurse and I already have 500 kids I care greatly for.

I say the same thing! Along with, "So much of my time/life goes in to caring for others, I need time to care for myself."