High School - School RN advice

[JG1977]

Hello and a big thank you to you fellow school RNs out there. I had asked for help/encouragement while interviewing for a school RN job and I did end up getting it! I took your words to heart and it was much appreciated. I worked both my clinic job and the high school job for a while, but I can't physically do both and then take care of my family. Therefore, I am only at the high school now.

Here is my question - What would be your best little nugget of advice? I mainly have specialty adult experience, so this is all brand new to me. I see a TON of kiddos daily and at least one emergency a day (large school). I am also a bit rusty when it comes to the type 1 diabetics. Any solid helpful advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Finally, set up rules and be consistent. My biggest is - if you're breathing and not bleeding out, you need a pass to be in the clinic. Because they figured out that if they duck in at the last minute during passing period they'd maybe avoid a tardy.

THIS. Kids will say to me "but it's passing period" and I tell them "fine, but I'm not writing you a late pass to class since you came without a pass to being with." They usually just sigh (that dramatic teenage sigh) and head to class to either get a pass or never come back.

Now, of course, there are a few exceptions to the above when it is sudden, urgent issue, but 9.8/10 it just isn't.

[peacockblue]

I love my high school kids! I would gouge my eyes out if I was stuck at elementary. Most of my diabetics over the years have been very independent. Ask them questions about their pumps and clinic visits. They love to teach you! The one thing I wish I had more of is a psych or counseling background. I try to attend as many continuing ed classes as I can in those areas and lean on my guidance counselors. I love watching them mature into young adults and since we are a small community, I often get to see them after they graduate. Congratulations and good luck in your new role!

[aprilmoss]

Usually by high school my Type I's are pretty self-sufficient. My son is type I (now an adult), so I was pretty attuned. I was pretty good at recognizing that a belligerent diabetic was probably low.

I had the advantage of working my way up from elementary to middle to high school as my kids progressed through the schools. I ended up staying in the high school setting when they graduated.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Best advice is to maintain your sense of humor!!

[Amethya]

Talk and treat like adults and if they want to talk to you, let them.

I think of my super power as I'm able to talk to any kid especially any age, and communicate and understand them very well. Even though I'm 26 and I been out of high school for 8 years, I still remember each feeling I had even as a child, so I use that and talk to them.

Have a sense of humor, that what saves me here. Trust me, the kids somehow love my sarcastic sense of humor and love how I talk to them like adults.