Subs

Published

Tell me about your sub situation! We are currently struggling as we have two, long term subs needed, and we have a float nurse who is covering in many of the schools that don't have full time nurses. The nurses feel like we can't be out because there is no coverage. I came in the other week when I had called out (because I had shingles!) because there was no one to cover, and we have a very medically needy school. It should not be this way. The sub pay is only 85 dollars a day, which I find ABSURD. We need a major change, and soon.

We have 1sub who is reliable. If she cannot cover or there is more than one of us out, we cover multiple buildings. That means meds get given and that is about all as we are a bit rural and there is quite a drive between some of our schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nurse.

Same problem here. We have a list of 6 subs but only one will work and never last minute. $23/hr. They can make $50/hr per diem at the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing/ maternal/child hospital based.

This is most definitely the biggest down side to school nursing, for me. I do not feel like I can take time off, when I am out, I feel so guilty. I come to school sick as a dog, have even kept my son in my office all day ill. Our school system pays subs $11.00 an hour. Sounds like it is a problem in many places. Wish there was a good answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel so guilty if I need a day off. We have 1 (ONE!) pretty dependable sub. Our attendance clerk covers the clinic for me when I'm at lunch, and if I cannot get a sub, she's pulled in here. But, she has her own work, and like she always says "I'm not a nurse", and she cannot make a lot of decisions needed.

We do have a whole CTE wing, with Health Science teachers, and I think they help out when I'm not here, but they have their own classes to cover.

Seems like an overall problem in the SN world.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Our sub pay is 90.00/day but I can never get anyone to cover. I wanted to go to a conference but was unable due to no sub. I come to work sick also ( which is what I am constantly telling others not to do). It's a bad situation everywhere!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

We had a very forward thinking superintendant many years ago who realized the value of having an RN in the school every day. Our sub rate is $180 per day. And we have subs, not a lot, but we can usualy get coverage. When it was an abysmal rate of $75, I said to him "I think a nurse needs to be able to at least cover the cost of their malpractice premium in a days pay" That made sense to him and it has increased over that past 15 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion