Used and Abused

Published

Specializes in Peds.

It may be my own fault but I really feel used by my admin.  I am only paid to work a 6 hour day.  My school starts at 0730 and ends at 1430.  I do not get a lunch break and I am always told that I have to attend mandatory meetings and functions after school.  I cannot leave at the six hour mark because I have an office full of students.  I have addressed it to admin and they just say "that's part of the job".  I have discussed with them increasing my hours but, of course, why would they if I work for free after my 6 hours?

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

Are you paid hourly or are you salaried? Do you have a contract? What is the language in the contract surrounding your responsibilities and hours? If you are salaried and the language in the contract is also clear that your work hours are 730-230, then I think you're stuck. If it states that your work day is "6 hours" then you should bring that to their attention and argue to either be allowed to arrive an hour later, leave an hour earlier, OR pay you for the extra time - their choice. If they won't budge, then I would walk away or threaten legal action. If they are in violation of your contract, it is pretty cut and dry. 

If you don't have a contract, then you are definitely being taken advantage of, and I would run, not walk, away from that district. 

5
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Specializes in Peds.

No contract, salaried at 88% 

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Are you in a union?  

1
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Specializes in School Nursing.
On 11/15/2022 at 12:32 PM, cowboysandangels said:

No contract, salaried at 88% 

Being salaried can be a good and a bad thing. Unfortunately, we can work over our scheduled hours and not be paid for them. If you have a decent boss they will allow you some comp time for some of the extra hours. My hours are 7:00-2:20, and I've been at my desk since 0515 to work on paperwork. My choice to come in early, I'm an early bird and would prefer to come in early than stay late... 

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

I’ve been there. Schools are a whole different arena. As nurses we are used to being paid for every minute of work. It’s not that way in the education system. Teachers aren’t getting paid for after hours programs usually. Teachers spend many hours at home grading papers and planning lessons. Their planning period doesn’t give them time to get it all done during paid time either so when you complain they are probably like so?! Teachers do have a break during the day usually for lunch and a planning period at least so they would understand that after six hours you would need a break. 

Set boundaries. It’s not the hospital and rarely are student visits true emergencies. Send out an email that after 1400 you will only see students for true emergencies (and yes you have to explain what those are to teachers). Most of the time kids have less than an hour left before school is out anyway and if they’ve made it all day they can usually make it one more hour. Explain that too. Explain you don’t get any breaks and need that time to wrap up charting (for every single kid you see which many are surprised about) and phone calls. No one quite understands what we do including administration. Don’t ask, just send out the email. It’s not an unreasonable request. Administration will always side on the side of the teachers. You aren’t refusing to see kids with true needs, you are just explaining WHEN is best. You may still have a few teachers who always send you kids 5 min before you leave for something silly. Some just don’t care and it’s OK to be super quick and sometimes kids do get sick an hour before school is out. You’ll just have to deal with those. Make sure each teacher has bandaids to take care of simple needs when you aren’t available. Insist on phone calls before seeing a student because you only want one at a time due to confidentiality and exposure. If someone shows up without a call and it’s not recess, gym, or lunch, send them back without seeing them until the teacher follows protocol and you’re free. If it’s close to being time to go say you don’t have time to see any more students. If it’s a true emergency they will make you aware anyway.

Check your state laws about how many hours you can work before a required break. Our state it’s 4 but if yours is 6 then at the 6 hr mark put a big sign on your door stating you’re on a break. I mean it’s your human right to have time to use the restroom and get a drink or bite to eat. Don’t be available. Walk away from your office and take your break so they will realize you aren’t available at that time (but the goal is to not have kids when you’re ready to leave.) 

Be super nice but firm. Be kind. Have a good attitude and try to develop good relationships with your staff so they’ll be more receptive. If you have a meeting after work, don’t stay, leave and come back. If you find yourself hating this set up or none of the above is working, find a different school system or job in general. 

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Specializes in kids.

^^^^ALL.OF.THIS! ^^^

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