What's your favorite thing about being a school nurse?

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

Except for the schedule. I think it would be nice to have a more positive thread on here to balance out all our venting (mine included!). Everyone knows school nurses have an awesome schedule so that goes without saying. We pay for that schedule literally.

One of my favorite things is the autonomy. Sure it can get lonely at times but I love being in charge of my own office and running it how I want for the most part. No doctors or patients telling me what to do all day long. Although the kids may try, they aren't in charge. Teachers may try but I didn't leave the hospital for someone else to stand over me all day long!

I enjoy working with kids and esp when I'm able to improve some aspect of their life as well.

I also like the feeling in the atmosphere during different times of the year. The first few days of school, the holidays, spring break, summer break, snow days, etc are all exciting times of the year and very well celebrated in the schools!

There's so many things to enjoy about this job and it's easy to forget sometimes!

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The kids. The drive me nuts, but they are great. And even when not so great, I love them just the same.

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Specializes in kids.

I love running into former students and getting caught up with them. It is so nice to see the growth and maturation!! I also love being able to be a "voice" in the community. Small school, small town, pretty visible and usually well respected, received and supported. Sometimes it helps with community efforts and it can give validity to a new project.

The hours and schedule aren't too bad either!!!

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Getting to really know all of the kids. They see me around town and I am practically a celebrity. Being in a small school in a small community I see past and present students all the time.

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Hugs. Little pictures drawn for me. Seeing the kids in public and hearing a little voice say " Mommy, It's my nurse!" (Closest I will ever get to celebrity status. Haha!) The comfort I can bring whether it's an injury, illness or hurt feelings.

The rapport with parents, many of whom I appreciate and enjoy talking with.

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I love teaching the kids about the symptoms they're having and why I'm doing what I'm doing. Saltines because I'm nauseous? Why did the 4 doughnuts I ate for breakfast make my belly hurt? How come it feels like I have to blow my nose, but nothing comes out?? There's science behind it, kids!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

July and August!! In all seriousness, the best part is watching the kids mature into little functional members of society! Having that Holy Crow moment when you realize that the FF that you saw almost every day in 4th grade NEVER comes to see you anymore now that he/she's in fifth and wondering what changed in their life that they no longer need to lean on you but being a little happy that you could be there for them when they needed you (even if they did drive you a little crazy).

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Celebrity status. There are lots of teachers but only ONE school nurse and I get lots of little fingers pointing at me and saying, "That's MY nurse, mom!"

The kids treat me like a miracle worker. Although I only have Tylenol, Tums, cortisone cream, ice packs and hugs they're amazed at how I can magically fix their pains and boo-boo's.

Our school is a small one and a great community. It's like a great little family and, for the most part, parents are quick to respond to my calls and emails with, "I'm so thankful you're there for my kids" and "we're so blessed to have you." I'm lucky that it's rare for me to get an ungrateful parent or one that just doesn't give a rip about their kid. I know I found a place where kids are really loved...on the rare occasion that a parent questions my judgment it's because I wasn't as cautious as they thought I should be (some kids are really precious, ya know).

Having time to go the extra mile for my "patients" which I did not have time to do in the hospital setting. I deliver backpacks to classrooms when they're accidentally left in the clinic. Meds to backpacks when they need to be sent home. I call mom when she needs to keep an eye out for a symptom(s) at home. I do things for these kids that I would want done for me if I were the layperson/mom at home and had a professional caring for mine at school. Walking a kid to their car when they've had an extra emotional day. Taking the time to do these little extras makes a difference with the kids and tells their parents that I really do care (and I do.)

I never wanted more than the one daughter I have at home. I never wanted a big family of my own and I love my clean, quiet house. But, somehow, these 350+ kids have become my own...even the ones that drive me absolute bananas.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

Summer Break! LOL :woot:

Seriously, I love the kids, even when they are making me nuts! I also love the working relationships I build with the parents! And, let's be honest, the schedule is great!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Telemetry.

I love the kids, even if they make me crazy sometimes! They say the cutest/funniest things, and they are so easy to "fix" sometimes. Love getting to know them, even the frequent fliers.

As some others said, I love the "celebrity status" that it affords me and seeing students out around my small town and being greeted or being whispered about ("Mommy! Mommy! That's the nurse!" Mom: "Stop pointing!"). Haha.

I love those moments when I feel like I made a difference and helped a parent care for their child when they weren't sure how they were going to do it (e.g. free neighborhood dentist referrals for tooth pain).

I also LOVE working in the schools that my kiddos attend.

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Specializes in School nursing.

Ditto what everyone else said. In addition, I love that we can form relationships that last years and have the ability to positively impact the future. It is amazing watching the children grow from itty bitty into adolescence and then young adults. I know we are all crazy busy but still we can make time for those who need it most. We also get to celebrate and nurture the good along with trying to fix the bad. None of these things did I find working the floor. Every shift brought new people in and I had 12 hours to do as much good as I could. Now I get years.

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Ditto what everyone else said. In addition, I love that we can form relationships that last years and have the ability to positively impact the future. It is amazing watching the children grow from itty bitty into adolescence and then young adults. I know we are all crazy busy but still we can make time for those who need it most. We also get to celebrate and nurture the good along with trying to fix the bad. None of these things did I find working the floor. Every shift brought new people in and I had 12 hours to do as much good as I could. Now I get years.

Aw. I'm a little misty now. For real.

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