Sick of nurses "referring" to our specialty

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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?

People think that until they’ve tried it. I know plenty of critical care nurses who subbed as a school nurse one day and said “there’s a lot of responsibilities in that job”.

I was a float nurse at the hospital so I’m used to hearing other nurses say what other specialties are easier - ICU nurses believed PACU nurses didn’t do anything, ER thought ICU was a bunch of control freaks with an easy two patient load, tele looked down on the poor overextended (yet versatile) med-surg nurses, everyone looked down on the psyche nurses....it was absurd.

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Specializes in Geriatric Home Health, High School Nurse.

I just had someone tell me that it was "cute" that I was a school nurse. ?

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22 minutes ago, SchoolNurseK said:

I just had someone tell me that it was "cute" that I was a school nurse. ?

Oh yeah I get that a lot. And "oh so you hand out band aids and kiss boo boos?" No, I spend all day explaining to kids why they don't need to put ice on everything.

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2 hours ago, SchoolNurseK said:

I just had someone tell me that it was "cute" that I was a school nurse. ?

I've gotten this before. I like to follow it up with my grossest stories because that comment tends to come from people who gag at the thought of vomit. Just wait till you hear about broken bones breaking through the skin and a child pooping their pants, removing their undies, then running down the hallway with the dripping undies in hand.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
On 2/11/2020 at 3:41 PM, BiscuitRN said:

I've gotten this before. I like to follow it up with my grossest stories because that comment tends to come from people who gag at the thought of vomit. Just wait till you hear about broken bones breaking through the skin and a child pooping their pants, removing their undies, then running down the hallway with the dripping undies in hand.

It's all fun and games until a kid runs down the hall Porky Piggin' it!!

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Specializes in school nursing/ maternal/child hospital based.

19 years in the hospital. Worked as a maternal/child float but was sent to all units. Even did a 2 year stint in ER. THIS IS THE HARDEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD!!!

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On 1/31/2020 at 8:40 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.

Of course, the low pay is a negative.

For OP - just educate them, nicely.

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Specializes in kids.
On 2/14/2020 at 11:55 AM, Cas1in72 said:

19 years in the hospital. Worked as a maternal/child float but was sent to all units. Even did a 2 year stint in ER. THIS IS THE HARDEST JOB I HAVE EVER HAD!!!

And I've said many times

The hardest job I have ever loved!

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"Screaming child squared + irate parents/airborne illness = alternative career path!" (ZdoggMD graduation speech)

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I'm not a school nurse, but I am a parent and I THANK YOU for putting up with my kids! Especially when my daughter decided to eat the rubber on the playground as part of a dare. Bless you all!

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Specializes in SICU,CTICU,PACU.

School nursing is a specialty just like any other. I cannot imagine doing that ever! To me it is hard and has a specific set of challenges.

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