New School Nurse in need of advice

Specialties School

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So I just accepted my first nursing job ( graduated in may) at a special needs school. I do not know much about school nursing and wanted to know if anyone has any advice to share with me. It would be greatly appreciated. I will be working with a broad range of children from 5-21 yrs of age. Thanks!

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Specializes in kids.

Go to the NASN website...the School Nurse Association of NY also has great info. Good luck!

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Thanks!

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I was in a similar situation a year ago, having graduated with my RN May 2012. Now I have a year of experience and boy, does it feel better than last year. I am the only nurse at a K-12 school district. A special needs school sounds intense, if I were you I would start looking into what kinds of needs your students have (tube feedings, medications, etc.). I agree that NASN has a lot of resources, so become a member and you can access their continuing education courses for free. I also bought the School Nursing textbook by Janice Selekman. Depending on what state you're in, check the resources that your state school nurse organization offers and attend conferences and workshops. Also, I often refer to my state's department of education website, because there are a lot of state specific guidelines (such as mandated screenings, immunization requirements, etc) that you should familiarize yourself with. Try to get in touch with other school nurses in your area (or retired ones if you can find them) because it's really good to have people to email or talk to as questions come up. This website is hopefully a good resource too, as well as a place to vent! Let us know how things go!

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Read any/all school policies relating to health. (Hopefully your school has some). Hopefully you have a mentor. We were thrown into our schools (heres a list of your schools, see ya), I hope your introduction is better!

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I work in New York State & we have an excellent website at schoolhealthservicesny.org. I have been an RN for over 27 years & a school nurse for the past 5. I have never gotten so much support & help from my colleagues as I have from school nurses. Good luck in your new position!

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Thanks so much for all of your support! I will try to get my hands on a copy of the textbook. I will have one tube feeding and a ton of PO psych meds as well as inhalers. I was able to spend a couple hours with the nurse who is leaving but other than that it seems I will be alone through the process. I am very concerned with the paperwork since it is totally different from hospital notes. Thanks for the website About pwoloszyn - Nursing community for nurses I am also in nys so I will look that over ASAP

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