What do teachers think about school nurses?

[nurselife13]

I honestly wish there was an allteachers.com website and forum so I could personally ask them (there may be, lol who knows)

Some days I feel very empowered by my teachers, some days I feel very belittled by my teachers. I am not a nurse that doesn’t care and I don’t just sit in my office waiting for students - I do A LOT for everyone! We are a team. But sometimes I wonder if they even acknowledge or appreciate me? I would have to say this is my least favorite thing about being a school nurse - THE TEACHERS.

Every year I acknowledge them on teacher appreciation week. One year I gave them little containers with candy inside as “chill pills”, this year I wrapped some sanitizer wipes and tissues and left a note saying “just wanna tissue a germ free teacher appreciation week” - I mean I try to be as helpful to them as possible and always think outside of the box. I do pop quizzes about “school health related” topics and give prizes out for the winners, send newsletters via email, etc. I don’t let them walk all over me BY ANY MEANS (or anyone for that matter - I’m 25 years old and feisty, just sayin) 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).

SORRY - VENT OVER

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

On 5/14/2019 at 1:04 PM, jnemartin said:

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.

OMG! YES! I'm glad that's universal. I sometimes am just saying hi. I don't need to know about your cold / cough / aunt's bypass / cousin's rectal abcess

[kidzcare]

25 minutes ago, Flare said:

OMG! YES! I'm glad that's universal. I sometimes am just saying hi. I don't need to know about your cold / cough / aunt's bypass / cousin's rectal abcess

When I used to take my lunch in the staff lounge, I felt like everyone thought they could only have conversations with me about medical topics.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

15 hours ago, BiscuitRN said:

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.

THIS ! Amen and Amen !!

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I've often wondered the same thing! LOL! At this school I do feel my teachers appreciate me more than other places because they tell me they couldn't do my job, am glad I'm feeling better or back after I've been off, etc however, on the other hand these same teachers will cut through my office after repeatedly asked not to, will take personal calls on their cell phones in my office as I'm sitting there working without even asking so as to not disturb people in the main office, second guess some of my decisions etc. so there's that. I think they view us as more like their helper to make their life easier and if we don't they get testy. ?

[HPofBC]

From lunch this year---

Teacher (flips hair, rolls eyes): I mean...you hand out band aids for a living

Me: And I provided your classroom with a case of 300 last week and yet I've had 14 of your students just this morning for that sole reason. I assume "handing out band aids" is a skill you've yet to master.

Yeah. We don't get along.