Teacher appreciation week...

Specialties School

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I love teachers. Many of my friends are teachers.

I'm sick of hearing about all of the wonderful activities that we will do for Teacher Appreciation week. Someone even made a joke at the last staff meeting about "having to share the treats with the social workers, office staff and nurse." Um, it's my week, too. Ugh. Sorry, just had to vent.

I just had a K student bring me booklet made by the entire class thanking me for taking care of them. It was so sweet. Each student drew pictures and wrote something. I am actually out the rest of this week so it was really nice that the teacher thought to send it down today ?

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Specializes in Peds, MS, DIDD, Corrections, HH, LTC, School Nurse.

I work as a system-wide nurse in my district, I do training, go on field trips and sub for clinic nurses. Friday I sent an email to all the head secretaries at each of the schools in our district informing them this week is National Nurses Week and that Wednesday was School Nurses Day. I also included 5 ways a school nurse benefits their school (as published by NASN).

1. Attendance - through health promotion, disease prevention and management.

2. Academics - With improved attendance, kids are actually in the classroom and ready to learn.

3. Time - Nurses save a lot of time for the principals, teacher and staff that would have to deal with all the minor complaints that are sent to the nurses, such as torn up glasses, flip flops, torn clothing and liquid spills on article of clothing.

4. Staff wellness - Just like students, healthy staff equals increased staff attendance and productivity.

5. Accountability - School nurses keep the schools accountable by promoting compliance with federal and state law, advocating for staff and preparing staff for emergencies.

I got positive responses from the emails; most of the secretaries did not realized school nurses have their own appreciation day. Tomorrow we'll see if this email motivated that schools to show their nurses appreciation. In the past they were never recognized, I was hoping to change that this year and perhaps start a new trend. ??

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Specializes in School Nurse.
37 minutes ago, Feral.Cat.Herder said:

Tining...what is this LOL ... It's just words... I can't tell if it's a picture or what but I've seen it several times in this post and my curiosity is getting the best of me. ?

For the life of me I can't remember, that was last year and 3,000 students ago!

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Specializes in school nursing.
On 5/3/2018 at 8:44 AM, ruby_jane said:

Someone always does something nice for me during the week. Usually another teacher, sometimes a parent. Never my own director, who's a nurse...

I was wondering if our director was doing anything. Ours also covers the elementary campus nearby, so I was thinking about sending her some chocolate covered strawberries.

I feel very lucky this year (my first year school nursing). The principal gave me an awesome gift basket, the secretaries had a "nursey" shirt made for me, and a parent brought me a Target gift card today (in all fairness, the parent is a nurse herself).

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One of my coworkers (non-teacher) said "hey it's nurse's week isn't it?"

That was the extent of my celebration.

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Two thoughts after reading this thread.

1) I am thankful for my coworkers. I have gotten a tweet from my school and 2 sweet gifts from co workers.

2) What you allow is what will continue. Sign out and leave campus for 30 minutes.

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Specializes in School nursing.

Today School Nurse day was recognized in my school's daily email to all staff. 1st time in the 6 years I've worked here.

And then a staff member wished my happy school nurse day and hugged me when I got to school day, telling me how much he appreciated me.

I got a little teary. I don't need presents, but things like this actually matter a lot I've realized.

Happy School Nurse Day!

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Specializes in kids.
On 5/10/2018 at 9:47 AM, Amethya said:

So basically I had this issue until I put my foot down and said that's enough. My front office can handle my issues and medications, since they were trained on it, so I asked for an official lunch break, so now I got to lunch from 12:30-1pm, with no issue. No one calls me UNLESS it's an actual emergency, so that's a plus side on this.

I'm not sure how many of you have front office staff who are trained, but is it possible for you guys to do it?

Ahhhh....nope!!!

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I am so thankful for this group. I am sad that several of you deal with the same situation and disrespect that I do, but at the same time I am comforted knowing I am not alone. I have not even signed my letter to return next year..I know I will because I can't leave them in such short notice, but dang, this is the most unappreciated I have been in my career thus far. Ya'll, I can walk down a hallway on this campus and not one staff member will look my direction or speak to me. Anyways, I've been having a little pity party this week. I don't get a lunch break, I constantly have kids in my office all while doing my actual job, I have parents and teachers coming or calling about their own personal ailments or their kids and yet I get absolutely zero recognition. I feel better letting all that out lol. I hope you all have a fabulous week. Here is to the most humbling position of my career!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I have gotten three handmade cards from kids this week so far and one parent even gave me a fast food gift card which made my week.

Ok so when I first started here they gave the secretary, principal and me a $25 gift card on our days. (Well the secretary and principal also got flowers but hey at least I was recognized!) This was the first school that recognized me like that. Then last year they put in the treasury announcements they had given me a gift card and the teacher in charge said I'll get it to you soon as she gave me a greeting card. I never did see that gift card and I felt weird asking about it. This year, nada. So I guess I've been dropped. ?

Our PTO always includes all the staff in teacher appreciation week which is nice and they always make sure I have something to eat because I can't usually eat until after everyone else is done so that's sweet and makes me feel like I'm not forgotten.

How awful of that teacher to make comments they have to "share" their goodies. What an awful attitude! I agree as a school nurse you sure don't get much appreciation esp for all the stuff we do that's not even our job like fixing glasses, repairing shoes, etc etc...

It's nice we have each other and I appreciate each and every one of you! Happy National School Nurse's Day! If I could I'd take you all out to eat!

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1 hour ago, kaynrn said:

I am so thankful for this group. I am sad that several of you deal with the same situation and disrespect that I do, but at the same time I am comforted knowing I am not alone. I have not even signed my letter to return next year..I know I will because I can't leave them in such short notice, but dang, this is the most unappreciated I have been in my career thus far. Ya'll, I can walk down a hallway on this campus and not one staff member will look my direction or speak to me. Anyways, I've been having a little pity party this week. I don't get a lunch break, I constantly have kids in my office all while doing my actual job, I have parents and teachers coming or calling about their own personal ailments or their kids and yet I get absolutely zero recognition. I feel better letting all that out lol. I hope you all have a fabulous week. Here is to the most humbling position of my career!

I'm so sorry you get treated that way. And it is sad that so many of us share the same story. I have decided not to return next year. I thought about telling my supervisor and seeing if anything might change but deep down I know it won't. You can not make people respect you. And the old saying you earn the respect you give out is not true in every case. I am the kind of person that treats the janitors with the same respect as the superintendent. But as far as how I am treated, the janitors get more acknowledgment and respect than I do. Heck they get multiple breaks and uninterrupted lunch breaks everyday! But I have learned most of my problems are because of me and that I have not put my foot down on things. I do not stand my ground with teachers or parents or admin. I am not confrontational enough when I should be. And I am the one who is not going to change that part so it is better for me to move onto the next stage of my life. I have always loved getting to work with kids. I love the school schedule and it really does have some wonderful perks but the bad has finally outweighed the good so I had to make my own decision. I hope things do improve for you all in similar situations though.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.
12 minutes ago, ABRN2012 said:

I'm so sorry you get treated that way. And it is sad that so many of us share the same story. I have decided not to return next year. I thought about telling my supervisor and seeing if anything might change but deep down I know it won't. You can not make people respect you. And the old saying you earn the respect you give out is not true in every case. I am the kind of person that treats the janitors with the same respect as the superintendent. But as far as how I am treated, the janitors get more acknowledgment and respect than I do. Heck they get multiple breaks and uninterrupted lunch breaks everyday! But I have learned most of my problems are because of me and that I have not put my foot down on things. I do not stand my ground with teachers or parents or admin. I am not confrontational enough when I should be. And I am the one who is not going to change that part so it is better for me to move onto the next stage of my life. I have always loved getting to work with kids. I love the school schedule and it really does have some wonderful perks but the bad has finally outweighed the good so I had to make my own decision. I hope things do improve for you all in similar situations though.

I think we could be sisters! I am currently looking as well. I also have trouble with confrontation but I will stand up for myself. I just don't feel like I should have to throw a fit or file a grievance to make changes. I just think that's ridiculous. I do go to my principal and air my grievances and am promised changes but yet nothing every happens. It's pretty evident in this county everyone can and does whatever they want and I'm over it. I'm no longer at a place where I need this schedule so I feel it's time for me to move on as well.

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