Not qualified for school nursing

[geocachingRN]

I just found out a nurse in a different school district isn't qualified to hold the position. Her school hired her anyway. She doesn't have a 4 year degree and doesn't qualify for a preliminary school nurse credential-a requirement for the position. I think the school wrote up a contract for her but I don't think this is OK. She hasn't enrolled in a BSN program yet.

She doesn't come to the monthly county wide meetings and I'm concerned with the job she might be doing and that she doesn't know what it is she doesn't know. This could be a very big concern.

I haven't been doing this job very long but I have joined the union, taken classes and done everything in my power to learn. I don't get the feeling she's doing that. Further, she hasn't been much of a team player up until now and that bothers me.

Part of me says it's none of my business if she wants to put her license on the line, except I would hate myself if a child was seriously injured. I'm sure she is as well trained as an ADN new grad nurse and a mother can be, but there is so much more.

Any thoughts?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

if i were in your shoes i would have a seroius discussion with whomever it is that oversees the nursing offices in your district. They certainly wouldn't hire an associate's degree english major to teach and they shouldn't have such a blasé attitude about the health and well being of their students. If your state is anything like mine, they'd come down hard on a school that doesn't hire an appropriately trained person.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Are you her supervisor?

If not, and since you don't work with her, I would stay out of it.

There may be more to this than you know and the school board/hiring authority have somehow ok'd it.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

I wonder why you are concerning yourself with this person. Let the "power's that be" handle this. It's her license not yours. I do not say this with arrogance and I have never taken that stand, but I can't see why this bother's you so ??

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

if i were in your shoes i would have a seroius discussion with whomever it is that oversees the nursing offices in your district. They certainly wouldn't hire an associate's degree english major to teach and they shouldn't have such a blasé attitude about the health and well being of their students. If your state is anything like mine, they'd come down hard on a school that doesn't hire an appropriately trained person.

Seriously?????? I am an associate's degree trained RN and more than capable of caring for the health and well being of my students as I have for the past 5 years.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

seriously?????? i am an associate's degree trained rn and more than capable of caring for the health and well being of my students as i have for the past 5 years.

sorry to break it to you all, but i am a lpn and am well qualified. i have 19 years experience in school nursing and have excelled at it for years. principal's, parents, teacher's and students have full faith in me and my abilities. i love my job and i do it well.

praiser :redbeathe

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

Hmm...I'm like Praiser...I'm an LPN and completely capable and qualified for my job. I take some issue with the fact that everyone seems to think that school nurses have to be RNs...that's NOT required everywhere and there are plenty of us that are LPNs. Anywho...back to the topic at hand. I would suggest staying out of it. I think if you went to someone over her then it could look bad on you. I'm sure whoever hired her is well aware of what is required for the position and there may be extenuating (sp?) circumstances that you aren't aware of. I honestly just wouldn't mention it.

[raidermom]

I too am an LPN who does as much if not more than some of the RN's in my district. When my supervisor was hired I had to train her. If she had any questions she called me. There are many School nurses who are LPN's and our experience and knowledge help keep our children well and in school. Sometimes we may not know all the circumstances and it pays to stay out of it if you do not know the whole story.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

ok - everyone settle down! I apologize for my poor choice of words - i am not stating that you as LPNs or AAS RNs are not properly trained. I am not insinuating that an AAS prepared nurse or LPN cannot perform the functions of a school nurse. I am making my statement based on the requirements on the state. In my state you are required to be an RN with a BSN and certification as a school nurse. I am speaking more from a stand point of filling the job with someone that meets the requirements for that state.

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

ok - everyone settle down! I apologize for my poor choice of words - i am not stating that you as LPNs or AAS RNs are not properly trained. I am not insinuating that an AAS prepared nurse or LPN cannot perform the functions of a school nurse. I am making my statement based on the requirements on the state. In my state you are required to be an RN with a BSN and certification as a school nurse. I am speaking more from a stand point of filling the job with someone that meets the requirements for that state.

*unruffling feathers...*

I see your point now. Sorry!

[geocachingRN]

Indeed Flare, you address the exact point I was getting at.

I appreciate and respect all of those who are doing this job without thanks or respectable pay, regardless of the initials after their name. However, I wonder if an RN has obligation to act when they see the law being violated as she is not upholding the standard of care. I can tell you that her district did not know they hired someone not qualified and she does not know that she is doing something wrong, one of the many ways she doesn't know what it is she needs to know. They are a difficult district and have gone through nurses about every 2 years. She is a young new grad. Bottom line is that she's not qualified even if she is able and willing to give good care and has done nothing wrong. However, she is personally liable as she is not practicing to the standard of care and she would be held responsible and sued, along with her district.

Thanks you for all your thoughtful responses. I can see both side which is why I put it out here.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Glad you got the original intention of my post. Can't tell you how many times i have needed to set my boss straight while he roamed in a cloud of blissful ignorance. They would just assume hire an EMT to "put on bandaids" as my boss so eloquently put it one day.