Tips for school nurse at high school?

Specialties School

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I've just started subbing this year, but have only subbed at the lower grade schools. Next month the high school nurse is going to need me more often. I'm really nervous about the older kids for some reason. Any tips on what you've dealt with and how you handle it? With the little ones who have a fever or lice, I call the parent and they come to pick them up.......but what about a high school kid who drives himself to school and needs to be sent home? Any tips on how to better know if they are faking it, etc? I love this group and am steadily reading posts daily!

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I work with high school students. I have subbed in elementary, middle and high. High school is my favorite. As a sub nurse once they find out you are there they are going to try to "fake it". Stick to your guns. Remember they are over grown elementary kids and ice still works for most of their issues! If a child gets sick and needs to go home and drives. Find out the schools self check out policy. I have had kids I didn't feel were safe to drive home, *Migraines, dizziness, vomiting.* I called for parents to pick up. At my school I do not issue self check outs. Any and all check outs go through the main office.

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Kids who drive still need to talk to me and have their parents call me to give permission for them to leave. If they have a head injury or fever I do not let them drive.

Dizzy gets 5 minutes rest and if no other symptoms, back to class.

Nausea gets 10 minutes, if no puke, back to class.

Etc.

I do give kids a 'rest" of they need it. I could deal with a 10 minute break, and unless they are frequent flyers, it can't hurt anyone.

Ice ice ice.

Pads and tampons.

Make sure they sign in and out for the CORRECT times.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

My best advice is to only sub at the elementary level. :***:

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Really??!! haha Why?

My best advice is to only sub at the elementary level. :***:
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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Really??!! haha Why?

That's like grown up nursing - yikes!!

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Nahh they are just over grown babies! :D Middle schoolers.. Now they scare me!!!

That's like grown up nursing - yikes!!
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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Nahh they are just over grown babies! :D Middle schoolers.. Now they scare me!!!

I'd rather try to bathe a family of wolverines than deal with middle schoolers.

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That's like grown up nursing - yikes!!

Boobies.

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OldDude is a big baby.

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AGREED!! *Shudders* All in all the high school aged kids aren't that bad. Less Parent interaction unless it's one of "those kids" who's parents get called for every hang nail. They seem to get mad easier over the whole Back to class thing.. Mine accuse me of putting ice on everything and not letting them lay down in my clinic to skip class.

I'd rather try to bathe a family of wolverines than deal with middle schoolers.
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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Once these kids hit 2nd grade they're all taller than me so I'm scared of basically everyone that's above 8 yrs old.

Life is just scary when you're 4'11"

But, I get it OldDude. HS would terrify me. That's basically why I didn't major in education along with my first degree in Spanish.

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