Advice for School Nurse

[BeSweet]

Hello all!! I have been offered a job as a Health Technician for an elementary school, which is technically for a LPN/ADN (I have a BSN). I worked one year in adult ICU but have been unemployed for the past 15 months. I really did not enjoy hospital nursing, so job opportunities have been scarce for me.

With that said, I am nervous about starting out in peds in a school setting. I will have an RN who is my supervisor, but they will not be on site with me. I will be alone at the school, doing first aid, medication administration, diabetic care, some tube feedings, and such.

Is it not smart to have this be my first experience with children other than while in nursing school?

Does anyone have advice on how to prepare for this job? What's a typical day like?

Thanks!

[mycsm]

You need to know your own comfort zone. I'm not sure if financially you can swing it, but many colleges offer Pediatric Emergency/peditric assessment courses that might help you feel more comfortable. It is hard being on your own, but the majority of school nurses do work on their own, but have other nurses as a support system in their town. Good Luck!!

[guest83140]

The first week will set your routine for you. You will learn how to triage quickly, document quickly, contact parents quickly. On the side you will make time for checking immunizations, and other daily checks. But just getting comfortable talking to little people and asking questions to find out what's the complaint will come as you work. You already know how to apply bandaids. You will comfort as you work. Talking settles them down while bandaging. Look through your records and make sure you highlight your chronic health problem kids. I keep a list on my computer. Diabetics and such. I make sure their supplies are kept up or that they have their inhalers locked at school. You can look at videos on how to administer inhalers or go to a training class by your RN supervisor. Most older kids know how to use them but real young ones may need your help. Don't hesitate to ask for help, that is how you learn. Training, Hands On training, Google info, ask nurses, that is how you learn. Also you can buy a small pedi book at the bookstore.

[Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN]

Bone up on diabetes :) I have 3 elementary schools, one of which is the satellite school for students with diabetes in our district. The first time I had to cover the health room and care for the diabetics was very nerve wracking. The first aid stuff is simple, but diabetic care is evolving so quickly that I am usually taking some sort of continuing ed every year.

I am not fond of hospital nursing either, but really have found a good fit with school nursing. Keep in close contact with your RN, she can be a big help too as you start out (my LPN had worked at this school for 6 years before I started so knew her stuff). It is a great job, and the kids will make your day every day.