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Discussion

Switch to elementary?

I had an interview yesterday at an elementary school in another district that's two miles from my house!

Y'all know I love the teenagers. Next year I will have 2600 of them and there's no relief any time soon (district is just now building the elementary campuses to hold all the new arrivals and it will be at least four years before a new high school shows up).

The elementary building is 30 years old and the clinic is small. The really great nurse left two years ago for district advancement; the Health Services director seems awesome and doesn't have the issues of playing fast and loose with the truth that bother me about my current boss. The had an interim nurse last year who was "a bad fit" (that's been said twice) and a replacement nurse that got sick. The principal seems darling and he wanted me to know that he wants everyone "to assume the positive" about their co-workers. I know some of the PTA moms since it's the same district my kid attends.

I'm swapping lower numbers for more screenings. I have some experience with summer campers grades 2 and up in fairly intense two-week sessions.

What else should I be considering? I am afraid my rose-colored glasses are only seeing the 750 kiddos and that two mile commute!

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    • Featured Replies

    I couldn't imagine working with the little kids, but 2600 is a huge amount of students.

    Is they pay the same?

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    • Author
    I couldn't imagine working with the little kids, but 2600 is a huge amount of students.

    Is they pay the same?

    It is not uncommon in my area of the NTX for high schools to top 3K. We're suburban, though.

    Pay scale would be similar but that's a detail I'd have to know for sure before I jump!

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    Is there a district aid or another nurse that can assist with screenings? If so, it's not so bad. I mean, I'm in a middle school, so I def have fewer screenings than elementary. It takes about 4 days for 2 grades with one assistant, then maybe one day follow up, or I just do that on my own. I'm in NTX as well and never want to be in a high school. Way too big for me, both in numbers and size/ages.

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    • Author
    Is there a district aid or another nurse that can assist with screenings?
    I already asked! There's a screening team that does the bulk. Screens are K, 1, 2, 5. Clinic aide 2-3 days per week depending on census.
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    I couldn't imagine working with the little kids, but 2600 is a huge amount of students.

    Is they pay the same?

    Same thoughts as Far! In my state, thankfully, a school that size might (I say might) get two full time nurse depending on the district.

    But I manage only 500 kids and it can get crazy, so can understand wanting to switch from 2600 to 750!

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    • Experts

    I'd jump on that WHEN you get the offer. But I'm elementary or nothing.

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    All things considering, I'd take it.

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    I'd jump on that WHEN you get the offer. But I'm elementary or nothing.

    DITTO.

    How is the pay? How is the principal? The hours?

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    • Author
    DITTO.

    How is the pay? How is the principal? The hours?

    The pay is likely comparable (neighboring district). The principal seems like a genuinely nice guy and he had the AP and the clinic aide sitting at the table. Hours... I'll lose half an hour in commute time... (rose colored glasses....)

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    I do k-6 and LOVE it! So many hugs and laughs. Not to say there aren't frustrations... Screenings are pretty breezy, actually. We get a few parent volunteers to help move students back and forth from the rooms and do vision screening. Took about 2 full days. Even in k-6th there are a lot of "big kid" issues, the ever fun puberty/hygiene talk, and the kids can be a bit more "needing" but they are excellent at making me feel appreciated and loved.

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    All the elementary nurses: "One of us! One of us! One of us!"

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    I am in PK-6 and always say I can't imagine going anywhere other than Elementary. I love the kids at these young ages. Certainly the smaller school size sounds huge to me too but then again I have 100 kids here so I'm clueless about big schools. Good luck with your decision!

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