We’ve completed 2 of the 6 weeks that make up summer session. Our school and other D75 schools are 12 month programs. We work September to June and we have a choice if we want to work the summer. Last year I chose to work half; 3 weeks. It was not pleasant.
In addition to taking care of my students I was slammed with requests for nurses to cover multiple field trips. If a student has nursing/medical orders even if the medication or procedure is on an “as needed basis” they require a nurse to accompany the class on the trip. Last summer I had to get special permission to work overtime to input the requests to cover multiple trips. To be honest I was so overwhelmed by the end of the 3 weeks I couldn’t wait to leave. Yes I missed the extra money but there is something to be said for sanity.
This summer Meg (the nurse I work with) and I agreed to work the whole 6 weeks. At the end of week one I was seriously wondering wtf did I sign up for? For the last 9 years that I’ve been working summer the vibe has been pleasant, lighthearted, making things fun for the students. We all chose to work so there was an easy going way about everyone. This summer? No. Nope. No. You can feel the difference right away. Not to mention those nursing coverage trip requests. I have NO issue whatsoever with our students going on field trips. The entering of the trip information to the computer program is a process. A stack of trip requests takes time to enter. And…there is no guarantee a trip nurse will be available to cover; or want to.
I have issue with persons not new to the school who do not acknowledge that many of our students have medical needs. This past week, a teacher actually asked that the teachers be made aware when the trip nurse arrived. I answered of course, we always do. Person then said, “The teachers need to give the nurse the students medication.” Wide eyed I looked at her and said “what are you talking about?” She actually scared me for a minute thinking she was giving kids meds. Her answer, “Epi-pens. We have their epi pens.” Omg. Yes. Epi pens are extremely important to a student with allergies. No doubt about it. However in my nursing world I was concerned with packing up emergency seizure meds, emergency asthma meds, portable nebulizer, daily meds, supplies for students living with diabetes, in addition to epi pens and Benadryl as needed. And giving report to the trip nurse to explain which student needed what and ensure copies of their orders were with the meds. To listen to an educated person say they need to hand over epi pens as if that were the *only* medical need for our students. Omg. I can’t. 4 more weeks. I’m seriously hoping for better days.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 