I am by no means one of those zen, totally at peace, "I was meant for this job, this is why I was put on this earth" kind of nurses. I was put on this Earth to nap and eat and I still have those days when I wonder out loud why I HAVE to go to work. Yesterday was a nightmare and made me grouchy for the rest of the evening. Even the thought of the upcoming 3 day weekend couldn't cheer me up.
But there are some moments on some days where I feel truly grateful and so happy at my school. One of my 4th grade friends makes it a point to come in once a week to give me a hug and wish me a good day. A kindergartener who I cleaned up after a massive poop event gave me a Valentine. A student with autism running in to say how much she missed me during our snow days. Snow days in general! These tiny things are the times I try my best to focus on when things get tough.
I just feel very lucky and hope you, my coworkers and internet pals, have some similar moments today and every day. Happy Friday!
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
I'm so glad everyone has a nice story to share!
I feel like a real life movie star when I walk down the hallway. "Miss Tomato, Miss Tomato!!!! Hi!!! Hi!! Over here, hi!" and the hugs just kill me. I love it. I also like when I get "Miss Tomato, why aren't you in your office?!" I usually tell them I escaped and not to tell anyone. Heaven forbid I leave my lair!
I had a student who lost a classmate (who was also like a brother to my son). We all struggled with his death from cancer. This young lady came in several times in the following weeks to have lunch with me. At the time I thought she needed to just chill. Turns out later (4-5 years) we met up for coffee and we talked about that time.
She informed me she was there for me because everyone ELSE in the building was depending on me to guide them through a tough time, and that I needed some love too.
One of my diabetic students stopped in to see me. I used to see him all the time, but now he's pretty independent with his diabetes care so I don't see him as often. He stopped in today just to say "Hi" and to show me the shirt he made for "Deadpool" which he is going to go see tonight.
I had another student hop into my office and babble at me in Spanish for a bit yesterday. Luckily I have 4 years of high school Spanish under my belt from 20+ years ago, so I am basically fluent. I was able to answer his questions appropriately.
Those little visits make me smile, and let me know that I have impacted these kids' lives in some small way, because I don't always see it or feel it in this job.
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
I'm so glad everyone has a nice story to share!
I feel like a real life movie star when I walk down the hallway. "Miss Tomato, Miss Tomato!!!! Hi!!! Hi!! Over here, hi!" and the hugs just kill me. I love it. I also like when I get "Miss Tomato, why aren't you in your office?!" I usually tell them I escaped and not to tell anyone. Heaven forbid I leave my lair!
Ok, this might be a little bit of the evilnurse coming out, but, how about when you run into the little sweethearts that adore us. In public, with mom/dad/whoever...those parents who don't really like you for at some point having to have done our jobs. Or, they could just be the type of parents that don't really like anybody from the school (you know the ones). AND the little ones shriek a happy "NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and come running for a big hug/jump into our arms. I can feel the parent doing this -- AND I am like-- then I get this look back from them--
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
Ok, this might be a little bit of the evilnurse coming out, but, how about when you run into the little sweethearts that adore us. In public, with mom/dad/whoever
I have made it my mission to ensure I am never spotted "out of character"
Like... ducking behind the tampon display at Target.
Wearing sunglasses inside Wegmans.
Turning around going right back to my car at Home Goods.
I love my kids but I do not care to get stuck in a conversation with their parents in the middle of Petsmart. Too often when I am talking to a parent they wind up asking me for advice regarding their own health issues and I do not get paid for that racket
Ok, this might be a little bit of the evilnurse coming out, but, how about when you run into the little sweethearts that adore us. In public, with mom/dad/whoever...those parents who don't really like you for at some point having to have done our jobs. Or, they could just be the type of parents that don't really like anybody from the school (you know the ones). AND the little ones shriek a happy "NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and come running for a big hug/jump into our arms. I can feel the parent doing this -- AND I am like-- then I get this look back from them--
An emoticon jubilee! I am very fortunate that we are small and a community school, not many haters (that I care to know about).
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
I have made it my mission to ensure I am never spotted "out of character"
Like... ducking behind the tampon display at Target.
Wearing sunglasses inside Wegmans.
Turning around going right back to my car at Home Goods.
I love my kids but I do not care to get stuck in a conversation with their parents in the middle of Petsmart. Too often when I am talking to a parent they wind up asking me for advice regarding their own health issues and I do not get paid for that racket
But I could talk to the kids all day.
Ohhhhh heck yes! THOSE kind of parents...Ummm...I can wait (in most instances) until school for the littles hugs. It pays to know the parents :)
My new school does "Pay Day Treats" and this time it was the office staff's turn to provide. They told me I didn't have to bring anything because I just started, but I made guacamole and it is a hit! It is something I always make for parties and it goes over well
These tiny things are the times I try my best to focus on when things get tough.
to guide them through a tough time, and that I needed some love too.
I was able to answer his questions appropriately.
JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN
588 Posts
I'm so glad everyone has a nice story to share!
I feel like a real life movie star when I walk down the hallway. "Miss Tomato, Miss Tomato!!!! Hi!!! Hi!! Over here, hi!" and the hugs just kill me. I love it. I also like when I get "Miss Tomato, why aren't you in your office?!" I usually tell them I escaped and not to tell anyone. Heaven forbid I leave my lair!