Scared straight- new to school nursing - Page 2

To the new RN/ New school nurses:
Congrats on your jobs. When it seems like you are going to coma apart at the seams, stop... breathe... you can do this.. we can help.

My advice to you both is to read read read everything school health related you can get your hands on. Take relevant courses online or at local colleges. Join the national association of school nurses - www.nasn.org - they have a wealth of info that can help you. Join any local school nursing organizations - and network, network, network. Of course we will be here as an online resource, but it's helpful to make a few friends in nearby schools too to answer your questions. And don't be afraid to ask questions - i have been in school nursing for 9 years and i have my fair share of "silly questions" that i've posted on here.

Absolutely, I would love it!! I definitely need help. My email is helenaeberg@gmail.com. Please email me so that we can start creating the group.

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?

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.

You can count me in for the "new school RN survival group!" My email is royceoliver@cox.net. 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!

Please count me in. I start my new job in a week. My email is tande@mmtcnet.com.

Hello I just accepted a job in school nursing and I'm very scared.. I would love some tips and suggestions my email is vinaprice@gmail.com thank you😃

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!

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. :spin:

Jun 21 by [COLOR=#003366]johnny depp23[/COLOR]
Jun 21 by [COLOR=#003366]johnny depp23[/COLOR] 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.....