What do teachers think about school nurses?

Flare, ASN, BSN · May 14, 2019

you are so extra! You sound like a really fun co-worker. I am sorry your teachers don't give you the respect you deserve. I have said on here before that often times we as school nurses are on par with fire extinguishers. Not really acknowledged unless there is an emergency. And if we are missing when someone needs us, pure panic ensues. We feel like a part of the team, but then again, not part of the team. Try to find and focus on the bright spots.

nurselife13 · May 14, 2019

Lol! I am def so extra in every aspect of life lololololol! #noshame

thanks for the insight! ?

SmallTownNurseSWL · May 14, 2019

I could have written this post myself! I literally thought about the “allteacher” thing yesterday lol! I’d love to know how they really feel bc I get LOTS of mixed emotions on how I’m perceived.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 14, 2019

9 hours ago, nurselife13 said:
I would have to say this is my least favorite thing about being a school nurse - THE TEACHERS.
BUT it would make my job a lot more enjoying if for once they validated my position as their elementary school nurse. FYI, no one got me anything for nurses week other than a million of my students (whom I love and am thankful for).

First point - it's a toss up for me between teachers and parents!

Second point - you will be happier if you do not look for external validation from people who are busy, stressed, and at this time of year - On.The.Edge.

Please understand I know what you mean. It WOULD be nice. But if it doesn't happen then I have to let it go. Over the years I developed good working relationships with half a dozen teachers. They would bring me coffee and say nice things.

What I think you miss or want sounds like a collaborative relationship with another adult. But the other adults at school aren't nurses so they'll never completely understand. That's why we're here - we get you!! Is there someone in your district you can buddy up with and call?

I am totally stealing your "chill pills" thingy. That's brilliance.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 14, 2019

56 minutes ago, Flare said:
You sound like a really fun co-worker. I am sorry your teachers don't give you the respect you deserve. I have said on here before that often times we as school nurses are on par with fire extinguishers. Not really acknowledged unless there is an emergency. And if we are missing when someone needs us, pure panic ensues.

AMEN!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · May 14, 2019

Honestly, I doubt teachers think about the school nurse and really doubt there are message boards with threads as numerous as ours, if any. This is the real school nurses lament, we are invisible until we aren't, then we go back to invisibility again.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 14, 2019

Also I would trade an @OldDude "BAM! Snatched from the jaws of death" for a teacher telling me s/he was happy with me any day.

guest464345 · May 14, 2019

The things they associate with nursing (vomit! lice! Ace wraps! I need a pad!) do not require an RN or LPN.

The things I think are important in my role, the real nursing contributions (careful assessment, advocating for families, emergency preparedness, medication safety, mental health intervention, knowledge of vaccinations and infection control, familiarity with community resources, case management skills, ability to provide health education on everything from wearing a motorcycle helmet to vaping to knowing your medications)....

....they don't even know I do it!

I don't really expect them to "get" us. Truthfully, I like them but I don't totally get them either. Plus there are advantages to being in the background doing our own thing - it can be lonely, but on the other hand we get to manage our own little nursing world, which was never possible in acute care.

I think we just have to have that strong internal compass, confidence in our skills, and the support of colleagues at other schools and online. You sound like an amazing coworker ?

jnemartin, BSN, RN · May 14, 2019

I have a good relationship with the teachers and staff, but because of my crazy-high office volume I don't get to socialize with them much. So my relationships with them are not very "Deep."

I know it's sort of par for the course, but it does annoy me that all they ever talk to me about is their health. Like if I say,"Good morning, how are you?" They reply with an update on their recent cold symptoms. lol.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · May 15, 2019

I use to try and socialize and be more involved with the teachers but truly all it did was upset me. They have no idea what I do and unless they need something, I don't think they care. It is much easier and less stressful to just stay in my office.

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2019

I'd say we're split in thirds with the teachers at my school. One third (mostly the primary teachers) know how busy I am mostly because they often accompany a student into my office, trust my judgement, thank me for any help I give, and don't ask for crazy favors (though they sometimes show me their rashes or large bruises in questionable areas). One third thinks I'm sitting around and here to serve them. They try to get me to fill out their entire field trip form (including parent phone numbers, supplies needed, things that are 100% non-medical) and act like I'm lazy when I say no. The last third forget I'm here. I see them and can't quite place the face to the name because I've never spoken to them. They probably didn't have a school nurse wherever they taught before.