College campus RN?

Blue Cat · May 26, 2018

I am a campus nurse for a private university. I started almost a year ago and love it! I came from an urgent care and med-surg background, still work PRN urgent care. My department consists of my director (an RN) and myself, we have standing orders that we work under and have physician hours two afternoons a week. We see students, faculty, and staff on a walk-in basis. I've learned that some college clinics are by appointment and learned there is a lot of variance among college campus clinics, depending on the school. We collect and manage all immunization records for students as per the state dept of public health mandates, which includes monitoring that students are compliant and enforcing the mandate. We administer vaccinations, draw blood for titers and TB QFT gold, do TB skin testing, collect and process STI urine samples, and run rapid strep and urine dip CLIA-waived tests. With our standing orders, we can dispense prescription and OTC medications based on the standing orders, test results, and specific criteria. I really love working with the students and can provide a great deal of teaching since they are in a learning environment and are just learning how to become independent when it comes to managing their health and wellness. It sounds like perhaps the hospital collaborates with the school to provide services for the position you applied for. I am employed by the university, and have great benefits that include a salaried position full-time 10 months per year, 2 days a week for June and July, and school breaks off. My insurance benefits are great, and I get free tuition for myself and my children through their masters degrees. I would imagine that you have already interviewed by now, so I'll check back for an update. I've learned this is a very unique nursing role that I did not even know existed until I saw the posting for my position. If you are still interested in the role, check out the American College Health Association site; they have a document available that outlines the role of the college health RN.

maggiesulfate · Jun 3, 2018

Thank you so much for the details! It was exactly the information I was looking for. This position sounds similar as it is a small college. Working mostly from standing orders. No physician hours. Only the RN and a counselor. Since it is filled by a nurse from the local hospital I found out that college breaks and summer would be required to work phone triage in the family practice clinic. I happened across the the website you recommended and was excited to learn about the professional resources and conferences offered. Do you create or participate in health and wellness programs as well?

Blue Cat · Jun 5, 2018

Yes, we do, as well as outreach on campus and partnering with the college of nursing to provide flu vaccinations. We are involved in student orientation days as well. The health side of our department is only myself and the director, however we share office space with the counseling department and the prevention education department. Did they say who manages all of the immunization records? That is not a small task, so you will want to be sure they are allowing enough time for that as it is an ongoing process to manage compliance and requires a great deal of follow-up and monitoring. We are able to devote more time to that during university breaks. Some schools manage that through their registrars office, but it is not always straightforward and requires the nurse's expertise to review the immunization records to be sure they meet the state health department requirements. I like my role because it is a nice balance between clinical and administrative duties with a lot of contact with students. If you haven't already, I would recommend going onto the websites of health services departments of the colleges in your area to see how they are staffed, how they accept records and run their clinics. Have you interviewed for the position yet?

maggiesulfate · Jun 8, 2018

Yes I had one interview so far and got many questions answered and then thought of quite a few more. The immunization records is a good one to bring up. There is a nursing program at this school as well so I wonder if they participate in flu shots etc. I am concerned that the nurse in this position will be pulled away from campus duties back to the family practice clinic or there will somehow be conflicting demands. I am very excited though and I hope I get another call back! Do you work much with the student athletes?

Blue Cat · Jun 8, 2018

We see student athletes who come in for sick visits or immunizations. They have access to the athletic trainers and sports MD for the teams. It's interesting that it sounds like it's a dual role in family practice and the campus. Is it for a hospital within a university system?