Advice/Help! Starting as new school nurse in 2 weeks- what should I be doing to prepare?

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Hi all! I accepted a job as a school nurse a public middle school here in MD and start my orientation in about 2 weeks. What should I be doing to prepare? I am coming from 2 1/2 years as an acute care bedside nurse (adult oncology). Thank you for any help and suggestions!!!

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Be familiar with your state immunization. look up state requirements for vision screening and how to correctly do a vision screening. i have kids coming in i have more info.. later

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SHS Guidelines good website
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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Check out this forum, lots of experienced school nurses here. This will become your nurses station when you get in the school. If you have a question, post it here, we are here for each other. I came in green with no nurse program at the school. These fine people helped me set up an office, make protocol and deal with my students. They made a steep learning curve a gentle hill.

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Your state's Board of Education website should have a tab with the state health requirements. Good luck and welcome to the group!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Identify which kids have more serious medical conditions (diabetes, asthma, serious food or beesting allergies), know your state laws regarding immunizations, learn how to do a vision and hearing screening. Get to know your counselors or social workers and the school psychologist! I'm new to school nursing too and those people have become my life savers!

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Tonih79,LPN- I had just bookmarked that site to browse through later. Thanks for reminding me! Lots of good info on there!

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kschenz- I am sooo glad that I got to miss the big beginning of the year immunization rush. I know that kids will still be starting school and changing schools so I'll get some experience before I get swamped at the beginning of next year.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Have plenty of Bud Light on hand for after school.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I thought of a couple more! Also know your district's policy regarding when to exclude kids and when not to. For example know if your district excludes for lice or pink eye. This differs from district to district!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

My advice -I see the golden word ORIENTATION - savor it. Most of us didn't get so much as a well worn, out dated binder full of paperwork that didn't pertain to our jobs. If you are lucky enough to work beside the outgoing nurse for that school, try to absorb as much info as possible. Take notes. Get insider info if you can (like which parents are MUST calls for every little thing and which parents are the wonderful ones that will bring you chocolate!!). If it's a multi school district, once you get a bit settled, reach out to your fellow nurses. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't be afraid to rely on your own experiences and gut too. If it's a school nurse paperwork question by all means call them. If it's a hmm - on the fence question do i send home - rest assured, these will get easier as you get used to the job.

Inquire to see if there is a school nurses' association specific to your county or state. If there is, join it and attend their meetings and functions.

Join us here. There's a wealth of knowledge here. We ALL share great thoughts and ideas here all the time. length of experience is not a factor! The newbies have just as much to contribute as those of us a little closer to retirement.

Oh and don't forget to stock up on pink scrubs - after all, on Wednesdays we wear pink ;)

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