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Discussion

Not So Sure

School Nurse Burnout: Not sure if it's me or the job

I have been a school nurse since August 2014. I have worked with ALL age groups High School, K-8, PK-6. I have been in 5 different schools.

My current school PK-6th has been the most stable because of the Admins which truly truly makes a difference, and the Teachers which truly truly makes a difference.

I feel burnt out, but I honestly do not know what else to do.

Why I have stayed so long? 

1) The hours are perfect. I work from 7:55-4:15. Monday-Friday. Of course no weekends, no nights, no holidays.

2) The time off. 2 weeks Winter, 1 week Spring, and at least 8 weeks off during Summer and I am salaried so my paychecks continue even during the Summer.

3) I am a divorced Mom with one child still at home. She will be going into 5th grade so it has been perfect for her too. I don’t work in her school though. I work in an entirely different district. In her district the pay suck. I could never make it on that little pay since I don’t get any support from my EX. It’s a $25,000 difference between her district and mine. 

Covid truly sucked the energy and joy out of my job. I was burnt out even before Covid, but I am burnt out even more so now.

I am starting to feel more unsure of myself too. I have been an RN for 18 years now. 

I am not sure if I want to return in August, but don’t know what else to do.

I must have a job where I am off by 5 pm at the absolute latest for reasons of childcare. I totally suck at starting IVs and inserting catheters. 

I actually would not mind case management, but those positions are extremely competitive from what I hear, and who is going to hire me with NO recent hospital/acute care experience? 

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    13 hours ago, feelix said:

    First of all, you need to shed extra baggage.

    You should not be losing sleep over your ex or his mother being ill or even dying, especially if you get no financial support.

    I am not suggesting you be calloused. Just remain focused on your problems. I think what is getting you down is blurring of boundaries.

    it follows that your principal is getting you involved in HR business. School nurses are expected to coordinate Workers Comp. beyond that you should put your foot down.

    I think you need to reach out to your principal and nursing supervisor both and inform them you need support due to COVID related stress. Explore local resources available.

    The stress of looking for a new job is not something you should go through in your present condition. Take it one day at a time. Look for what kind of training/prep is needed to break out into a new field. Maybe get a weekend PRN job  to test the waters.

    Oh, I am totally not losing sleep over my EX and my EX MIL. Someone asked if my EX or any of my Daughter’s grandparents was able to help out, and I was just explaining why they can’t.  

    Yeah, maybe the stress of looking for a new job is too much, but something definitely got to give before I lose my last bit of sanity I have left. 

    Both the secretary AND principal e-mailed/text me at 730 on tonight on a Saturday night about a Covid positive kid. Mom wanted to know what to do about Monday which is the kids first day of school. I responded to them, then e-mailed Mom. 

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