New school nurse starting a new program

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Last March I started working at my kids' school as the nurse. This is a small (125 student) private school which never had a nurse before. I am stumbling to learn the ropes and set up a program, which I love the challenge of. I come from 28 year background of critical care (which I continue on the weekends).Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.

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Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

You're certainly in the right place. Welcome! Using the search feature here will come in handy if you have a specific question. Otherwise, there are amazing people to help you. I have learned a great deal here.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Thanks, I have lurked here since March, great resource.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Don't try and reinvent the wheel but tailor your program toward student health on top of the pyramid. Identify individual health needs and provide appropriate training to staff - food allergies for instance. I'm sure there are a lot of resources specific to your state to model criteria for sending kids home, what screenings are state mandated, immunization requirements, etc. Your critical thinking skills and nursing abilities are well developed based on your experience so that's not an issue.....just always return to student health and safety as the number one priority. Welcome to the "club."

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Congrats!

I'm in a private school also but, thankfully, had a clinic all set up and going when I showed up.

We use the resources of a local and very large pediatric hospital that provides guidance and tons of forms/documents for school health clinics. We certainly aren't required to use their forms but it's a great place to look when I'm thinking "hey, I need a procedure in place for ___________ or I'd sure like a form for ___________." I just look in my two humongous manuals and usually they've already done the work for me.

I print their most up-to-date manual every 3 years but they also have an online version which I keep bookmarked:

http://www.choa.org/Health-Professionals/Nursing-Program/Nurse-Resources/School-Nurses/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/2013-School-Health-Manual/Manual-Chapters/Intro-Table-of-ContentsREV.pdf

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Congrats!

I'm in a private school also but, thankfully, had a clinic all set up and going when I showed up.

We use the resources of a local and very large pediatric hospital that provides guidance and tons of forms/documents for school health clinics. We certainly aren't required to use their forms but it's a great place to look when I'm thinking "hey, I need a procedure in place for ___________ or I'd sure like a form for ___________." I just look in my two humongous manuals and usually they've already done the work for me.

I print their most up-to-date manual every 3 years but they also have an online version which I keep bookmarked:

http://www.choa.org/Health-Professionals/Nursing-Program/Nurse-Resources/School-Nurses/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/2013-School-Health-Manual/Manual-Chapters/Intro-Table-of-ContentsREV.pdf

I went to that link and it only has the index.

It certainly sounds like a good resource. I see they use NASN and the state branch as well. Here in California it is CSNO.

To the OP - there are great resources with NASN and look for your state organization as well.

I meet with the other school nurses in my district/county and the public health nurses once a month. Another great resource!

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I'm only seeing the Table of Contents but this looks like a great resource. I would love to look through it. Do you know where to find the whole manual electronically?

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I found the manual links here:

School Health Program - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

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