Working through burnout

[daisysun]

I have been a school nurse for 3 years with roughly 25 years into the profession in various areas. School nursing is truly a specialty. However, what are some things perhaps you have done to get past being burnout. The workload is neverending, overwhelming and it is impossible to meet the needs of the students adequately. In fact sometimes I feel my license could be in jeopardy. I do enjoy the students and would love to do so much more but there is not enough time. I realize my ratio is better than some but being split between schools is challenging especially with diabetic students on each campus. I could give numerous examples but do not want to be specific. I read so many LOVE school nursing. Perhaps I need to change my mindset. I realize I document far to much yet I want to be thorough. Where do you draw the line and let go? Make sense. Lately, I have a sense of drowning without completing a single thought or sentence before another need is present or maybe more than one. Thanks for any input.

[OldDude]

HMMM, one of your last sentences, "Lately, I have a sense of drowning without completing a single thought or sentence before another need is present or maybe more than one. " Before a need is present.....is this really a "need" or is it something that can wait until you have organized your thoughts. Most of the stuff we see as school nurses is not serious so maybe you can rethink your mental triage and let the frequent flyers and attention seekers sit and wait while you take care of the "needs" and allow yourself to stay focused on priorities; yourself being one of them. I don't like kids hanging around my clinic and try to clear them out ASAP but when I run across a really sick one or a serious injury those other kids can sit down, be quiet, and wait until I've reached their priority level. This is my 13th year as a school nurse. I get frustrated just like every school nurse does but the hours are great, the environment is clean, and I get to practice independently. I work part time at a pediatric urgent care clinic. That helps to remind me how much I prefer the school setting. I hope this helps a little.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

You know when it is critical to document.....belly pain, injury, etc but you also gotta know when to hold'em and when to fold'em....

There are days I walk away from my desk full of paper (I am not the most organized person, but I can always find something needed on my desk) and I do not look back.

It will be there tomorrow.

We do not provide 24 hour care and you can finish many things the next dayl Of course my next day starts better with a clean desk but if getting out of there the day before was needed, so be it.

The kids can usually sit for a few minutes while we regroup. I have yet to lose anyone in my waiting room. Even if they are huffing and puffing impatiently I put on my face and remind them if they were at the local ER, they would be waiting a WHOLE lot longer....my kids are in HS so they usually get it.

[AussiePupOwner]

So sorry you are feeling so burnt out lately. I think we all go through it from time to time. There are times when the clinic is full and overflowing and I'm frustrated. There are charts to be delivered, documentation to be done, new kiddos registering and the front office is paging me for immunization checks. #1 My frequent fliers get their temps checked and sent back to class if there is no fever. #2 I get the meds done #3 Once I can get the clinic cleared, I put my sign up. I have a sign that goes on my door when I have to run to a classroom, a meeting, etc. It says "Nurse will be back it (blank) minutes. Please wait here. All emergencies go to the front office." I fill in five or ten minutes, I take a potty break and get something to drink or a cup of coffee and breeeeeath. A few times, I've walked a few laps around the inside of the school to burn of my anxiety. I have a walkie-talkie that I carry with me, so if one of my epileptics, asthmatics, or diabetics needs me, they can reach me. We are required to wear many hats (nurse, psychologist, paramedic, social worker, teacher, police officer, etc) and this can be stressful. Sometimes, you have to take a few moments for yourself. I hope you are feeling better. Hugs!