Scared straight- new to school nursing

Specialties School

Published

I am overjoyed, I finally got into school nursing after 25 years. I have been an LVN working in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice Care, Pediatrics and Managed. I recently completed my ADN-RN 2011 an my BSN 05'12. I need to know where to began with school nursing. Of course, I ready the School Nursing blog everyday. I am just wondering if there are any other new school nurses out there. I would love advice on where to start. The school I will be working at is Middle School 6th-8th grades. Welcome any advice!

Thank you for your support Flare. It seems like there are not enough hours in the day to read everything school health related, but the new textbook from NASN is certainly a good resource. Being a district nurse with 1600 students and 5 diabetics, I'm just not seeing how I can be doing BGs and insulin 3x day and also manage the district-wide duties and be available to get to any emergency they need me for. Seems impossible to do by myself.

Here's a question: do I need a formal training before I can do a hearing screening?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Here's a question: do I need a formal training before I can do a hearing screening?

This depends upon your state. Some require formal, state-approved courses for hearing and vision screenings, regardless of one's professional credentials. Others allow RNs to conduct hearing and vision screenings upon "demonstrating competency" which is essentially being "checked off" on that skill by another RN, but require others (such as teachers) to complete an approve course.

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Specializes in school nursing; pediatrics.

You can count me in for the "new school RN survival group!" My email is [email protected]. I am also a new RN but worked as a ped med asst for 3 years prior to attending nursing school so I am very familiar with developmental stages, common childhood illnesses, the vaccine schedule, and vision/hearing screenings.

I start in 3 days and will be working at one of the early childhood campuses within my kids' school district. Kiddos are infant through preK and there is a separate preK class for what the district defines as developmentally delayed (visual, hearing, speech, cognitive, social, physical). So far, I only know of 1 diabetic kiddo and have been told that the delayed kiddos are mostly speech. Luckily, there are no higher accuity kiddos like vent/trach kiddos.

I am definitely excited to start but because I will be on my own, am a bit nervous too! I am close with the school RN at my son's school and she will be a great resource. I plan to join NASN and already got the book from Amazon (cheaper!).

Best of luck to my fellow new school RNs!

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Specializes in BNAT instructor, ICU, Hospice,triage.

Please count me in. I start my new job in a week. My email is [email protected].

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Hello I just accepted a job in school nursing and I'm very scared.. I would love some tips and suggestions my email is [email protected] thank you?

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Specializes in kids.

Its the hardest job you will ever love!! Been around almost 20y in school and 30 in nursing and it really is my passion!! Always remember this....

Everychild needs to feel safe and often you are the ONE person in their whacko world that makes sense.

They may drive you nuts with multiple visits but these are usually the tip of the iceberg to what is really going on with them. Find a mentor and pick her brain! Follow your gut and know your state regs.

You will be fine!!!! Keep us posted!:loveya:

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Congrats on your new job! I also am starting a new nurse position at a middle school grades 6-8..I am a new grad and knew I wanted to work with kids in some way.. so school nursing will be perfect! I also feel blessed to have a daytime schedule that will work great with my family life as well. I am so excited to get started!

I have also purchased the school nurse text from amazon and can't wait to start reading it! I also plan to join NASN..and when I complete my BSN (Im currently enrolled in classes), I want to become "certified school nurse". I just know I want to do a good job for the kids, my district and myself! I came from a unstable background as a kid myself and know the importance of schools in a child's life. Even when they may not know it..yet.

Our school has a high population of Hispanics and also kids from low economic families(which I can relate too!) I hope I don't have many issues with language barriers! There is I'm sure staff who could translate as well though.

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Specializes in kids.

Jun 21 by [COLOR=#003366]johnny depp23

Jun 21 by [COLOR=#003366]johnny depp23 A member since Sep '09 - from 'Beverly Hills, California'. Posts: 247 Likes: 160

Age: 61

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Make sure and teach the children how to lift properly -wouldn't want anyone hurting their precious back now would we?

A little snarky? School health is a "real" field of nursing.....

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Please add me to your email group. I am a new grad and a new elementary nurse! My email is [email protected]

Thanks!

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Its the hardest job you will ever love!! Been around almost 20y in school and 30 in nursing and it really is my passion!! Always remember this....

Everychild needs to feel safe and often you are the ONE person in their whacko world that makes sense.

They may drive you nuts with multiple visits but these are usually the tip of the iceberg to what is really going on with them. Find a mentor and pick her brain! Follow your gut and know your state regs.

You will be fine!!!! Keep us posted!:loveya:

I will keep you posted thank you for the wonderful advice:)

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