policies and procedures

Specialties School

Published

Hello all,

I am working in a High school in new York state with no policies and procedures manual. I came from a district that did more. I work with another nurse who just does nothing for the students. Ex. I asked her where the heating pad was so I can give it to a girl that has cramps.

She informed me that, that wasn't allowed. " not sure who told her that" her reasoning was the possibility of burns.

Also questioned when I let a student soak there finger

So now I am trying to find policies and procedures to adopt and bring to our school dr and director of health.

If you have any insight and can share your information that would be so helpful.

Kittery

1 Article; 172 Posts

Does the NY DOE have any guidelines for school nurses? My state does and I'd be happy to share the link in a PM. I came from a large district with a policy and procedure for just about everything to a tiny district whose few policies are vague if not useless so I completely understand the frustration!

sarenymRN

5 Posts

I cannot find anything for NYS

This is what I am looking for.

MENSTRUAL CRAMPING

  1. Allow to rest on bed. May offer heat to protected skin.
  2. If severe and recurrent advise parent of need for own physician evaluation.
  3. If mild, may discuss with parent suitability of OTC preparations such as ibuprofen and get a provider order for such

something like this to make it easer to present.

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

Those are perfectly reasonable nursing actions.

plainfieldguy

58 Posts

Specializes in education, school nursing, med-surg, urgent care.

Hi SarenymRN,

I work as a sub school nurse from time to time in NJ and I've seen binders with exactly the kind of guidelines that you're talking about. I don't know who created the binders, but it is signed off yearly by the district MD and acts as standing orders for basic first aid and OTC medications. It is a great help to sub nurses who need district-specific guidance for a variety of student health conditions. Ask around to other districts.. somebody must have a binder like that!

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I actually found mine in a folder under documents on my computer. I printed them out and made a binder.

sarenymRN

5 Posts

So I sat down with our director of health today. We had a candid conversation about policy and procedures.

We have something that is very generic in the handbook. We are now purchasing a book to possibly adopt policies from.

My co worker- who has been here for years does not feel it is on our scope to use a thing like heating pads for menstrual cramps.

She even questioned when I let someone soak there infected finger during their free period.......

allnurses Guide

Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN

11,304 Posts

but it is signed off yearly by the district MD and acts as standing orders for basic first aid and OTC medications.

You have a district MD??? :eek:

I've never heard of such a thing!

We are in a conundrum here in California with the passage of SB1266 which mandates that all schools must have epi-pens but they made NO way for us to do so without a physician's order. So far, most schools are having trouble finding a physician who will sign off on that.

People say use the "Workman's Comp" doc . . . . . but that would be part of our insurance plan and there is no local doc who does that. You have to travel over 70 miles for that.

There is no local doc who will do this due to liability for HIM/HER.

(P.S. We would not be allowed to let a student use a heating pad either).

sarenymRN

5 Posts

So can I ask Why you wouldn't be able to use a heating pad?

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

I use one. I don't have any policy or procedure, and to me it is a nursing action. However, it may not be allowed because it can cause burns, and applying heat as a therapeutic response may require a doctor's order, since it really isn't "First Aid".

???

lvnforschool

185 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing.

Im an LVN at JR/HS in Cali and we use a heating pad for cramps. I set it to "low" setting so no burns are really an issue. Besides the girls only get like 10 minutes to use it.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN

1 Article; 709 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

I started ordering instant heat packs for my students with cramps. Or the "vague" stomach ache. They provide a lot of comfort and they last as long as the ice pack. No need to plug in and portable.

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