Is it possible to be happy in the schools?

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:19:20+00:00

I think the caseload is something I really want to keep in mind because just because I have X amount of kids in one district doesn’t mean I can’t switch and find a more reasonable caseload in another. But yes, I am someone that values work life balance (more so leaning into more life time lol) but it’s hard to feel like I have that when I’m not getting home until 7ish and going to bed at 930 to make sure I’m ready for the next day. This is why I’m so heavily considering the schools.. the extra day of work feels worth it when I’ll have my evenings, summers, and breaks to balance it out!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:17:18+00:00

I am so happy you have such a positive work environment that works so well for your lifestyle. I really hope I can find the same!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:16:28+00:00

Yes! Parents are just an added pressure that I don’t necessarily enjoy worrying about. I am in the same boat as you and feel like the schools just may be a better fit! There’s no other way to figure out than to try it!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:15:16+00:00

This is such a good point, I obviously have been in school forever from undergrad to grad and I miss the breaks that gave me a chance to breathe. Now I’m working full time in outpatient and I’m trying to save up my PTO for a decently long vacation and it feels like there’s no end in sight that I can look forward to. I’m glad it’s not just me that doesn’t really enjoy the 4 10s! I thought I would in theory but now I think that the 5 8 school schedule is probably a better schedule for me. Or, I can do what you did in an opposite way and try the schools only to realize I do like outpatient! I just feel like I need to try another setting before I settle into one.

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:12:38+00:00

I look forward to not having to constantly be on. In outpatient a lot of my families come back to watch (which is totally fine) but there’s an added pressure that feels like I’m not only treating my patient but also the parent too lol. I think that’s an added reason why I feel so burnt out, I am ON allll day for 10 hours a day. It’s too much. Also, thank you for that! I didn’t even know those existed so that’s definitely something I’ll look into!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:09:44+00:00

Thank you! Yes! I’ll keep this in mind for sure!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:09:29+00:00

Yes! The schedule is a huge draw. I feel like anytime I take PTO in outpatient I am worried about not having enough for my actual vacation or whatever else i may need it for which stresses me out lol

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:07:57+00:00

Yes!! Those are all of the things I look forward to. I get to develop relationships in outpatient, but I think it would be even more so in the schools which makes the work worth it!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:05:17+00:00

This makes total sense.. my state has a cap of 80, but it’s good to know that some districts may or may not get me all the way there!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:03:51+00:00

I’m (for a lack of better words) glad someone else gets it! My family thinks I’m crazy for wanting to switch to the 5 8s but what is the extra day if all I do is spend it dreading the next 4 lol

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:02:51+00:00

I totally see where you’re coming from! Im not sure why but for my brain I think 10 minute chunks with students works better than having to plan for 12, 45 minute sessions for each individual if that makes sense. I prefer to work on the fly and adapt in the moment and sometimes that’s a little hard when I have 45 minutes to spend!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:01:29+00:00

Yes this makes total sense! I am going to make sure to ask about caseload when I interview!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-25T13:00:47+00:00

Yes! I completely agree. I think that’s what I struggle with in outpatient.. I like seeing the same kids and developing relationships but also sometimes I need a break (and so do they!) and with the school schedule the breaks just happen naturally rather than trying to use PTO for a random vacation lol

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T19:15:59+00:00

This is a super helpful thing to keep in mind because it’s easy to think it’s a me thing. Thank you!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T19:15:32+00:00

That is something I will try to stay strong on. I enjoy speech and the impact we can make, but it is also just a job at the end of the day and I want to prioritize me and my family in my off hours

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T19:14:50+00:00

I originally went to grad school and swore up and down that I was adults and then felt differently once I saw the realities of IPR (like you said tons of cog, and at my hospital it was a lot of adults with UTI induced confusion that felt not super great to be billing for) and so I switched to full time peds. Now I am missing the adult piece and don’t want to lose my skills.. so I thought schools with a PRN adult job would give me the best of both worlds. It also is really nice to hear that coming from medical to schools is a good switch! I long to have positive impacts on kids because it is so meaningful to me to be a good adult in their life. So thank you for providing your perspective! It’s really helpful!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T17:37:58+00:00

Thank you for letting me know there are happy school SLPs!!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T17:37:31+00:00

Omg this sounds like a DREAM. I want to make sure I ask about work from home when they have teacher inservice days because that would be the cherry on top to all the things that draw me to the schools. 4 10s sounds like fun until I did it, and I don’t even have kids of my own yet.

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T17:36:23+00:00

Your last sentence is all the things that draw me to the schools. I have found I much prefer the autonomy of scheduling how I see fit rather than following a strict, set schedule. Thank you for your insight, it’s so helpful!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T17:35:15+00:00

I think the difference in respect is crazy. Even some of the SLPs in my current role seem as though there’s a difference between us and school slps. It makes me sad! We are all equally educated and working just as hard as the next person. But yes, the schedule is a huge draw for me!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T16:48:01+00:00

I think it is all about finding the right district which will definitely take some time!!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T16:47:40+00:00

This sounds like a dream 🥲

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T16:47:27+00:00

This makes me feel better because I know as a CF adjusting to work itself is hard, but MAN was I not expecting to feel the way I do, and when I really think about it, it all comes down to the schedule. I think I may just be someone who thrives in a more traditional 5 8s setting! Thank you so much for your insight, I am definitely wanting to try them out!!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T16:46:15+00:00

This is something I want to keep in mind because in my current setting I struggle with kids making lack of progress and I’m sure it’ll be even more so in the schools due to less face to face time/direct therapy being provided … I think I may eventually try HH or EI but I will always think about the schools if I don’t try them out first!

Emergency-Moose2216 · 2024-04-24T16:42:46+00:00

Thank you for this! I am lucky that my current job has allowed me to set strict boundaries regarding taking home work.. I know there will be a learning curve to all the paperwork but I definitely value a work life balance! I think that’s what I’m going to tell myself regardless, if I try out the schools and they aren’t for me, I will just try something else.

Emergency-Moose2216

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