I have written and deleted this blog post more times than I can count. I think most school nurses have letters of resignation in our top desk drawer, ready to pull out at whatever we deem is our last straw. I may have reached that point in recent days. I guess it is a good thing that summer break is coming in 5 short days and maybe I will feel differently come September.
I have not resigned or retired, but I decided to be bold, to take a stand for myself and dip my toe into the employment pool to see if there is a match out there for me.
Twenty-one years is a very long time to hold the same position with no opportunity for advancement. I have written in the past about being a “caged leader,” the very apt term introduced to me by Dr. Beth Jameson. It is one of the unfortunate realities of school nursing, there are few districts with pathways to upward mobility.
Pandemic school nursing has taken its toll on our workforce and most of us have been challenged in ways we could have never imagined. I have carefully and dutifully cared for my school communities, guiding them through these last three school years of COVID. What is present for me now is a strong desire to have an impact on a wider scale. There are programs and initiatives that I would LOVE to bring to my district, but I do not have the authority or agency to make them happen. That is my greatest frustration.
A dear friend wrote me this message that woke me up, like a cold shower:
Robin: You are the epitome of trying to make change where you work and also in the larger and wider world and isn’t it crazy when you are valued more by places that don’t employ you? You must be frustrated and also fatigued as well as excited to speak and present and advocate. So many issues and inequities and injustices. I appreciate that you stay active, engaged, and all you do to make a difference!
I have attached my CV to this blog post. If you are looking for a dedicated, creative, collaborative healthcare professional, please reach out.
Robin Cogan CV
B R A V O !!!!!!!!!!!! It must have felt great to hit the SEND BUTTON!! I can’t wait to see where this path leads. Great, brave, sensible step! Gooooooooooo Robin!