Did you replace a school nurse?

Mango Juice · Feb 21, 2018

I did (just started my position last year 2016/2017 school year), she was there for many years (I think over 30) but very old school. Papers EVERYWHERE, everything hand written in notebooks. She saved everything (found items in her storage closet that expired in 1982.) Filing cabinets overflowing with outdated pamphlets from the early 90s, student health records from the 1960s/1970s, I even found an old glass syringe with a needle--the kind that used to be sterilized to be reused.
I almost quit before I even started because I was so overwhelmed (was literally shown my office and told "hear ya go!'...same thing when IT came and hooked me up to the computer system, asked how I navigate it and was told by him that he only knows how to do the teachers stuff can't help me with navigating the medical part...gee thanks)

Do we work at the same school?!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2018

Is the only thing worse that replacing a hoarder starting from scratch? Maybe not. But I opened a brand new campus and had to put all my equipment (cots, shelves, etc.) together!

I also received a paper procedures and protocols handbook that was unbound and had apparently fallen off a table so everything was a mess! I had one experienced nurse to call on - she left within the first six weeks.

The next year we put the policies and procedures on a searchable drive. I also developed a procedure for preceptoring nurses based on what the district does with new teachers....but the boss has yet to implement it.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 21, 2018

i've replaced several long standing nurses in the schools that i've landed in over the years. Immediately you're hit with "the old nurse..." well honey, there's a new sheriff in town and i do things a little differently. I find it really takes about 2 good years for people to fully get that nonsense out of their system.

Windchaser22 · Feb 21, 2018

Yes, prior nurse was there for 15 years and the one before that from the 1950's. Last nurse had ancient pamphlets and triplicate information. I think my vision screener is an original lol. First year was tough, no one ever did electronic charting before or was used to being told no. Found records dating back decades that should've been archived. All good now.

Glitternurse, LVN · Feb 21, 2018

The short answer is no I did not replace a nurse. I am an LVN and my position was newly created The district RN is still here which helps since she is happy to have me everyone else has been pretty accepting, although not completely. There are still those throughout the district that for some

reason are unaware of the situation so I get asked "what happened to Nurse Xyz?", I then reply, she's still here

I've been hired to help and provide more nursing

coverage at the schools. I usually get "oh good I thought Nurse Xyz had retired. I'm glad she's still here" I have had the opportunity to show my skills with a couple different emergencies so those principles are more friendly toward me now. I started after the school year had already begun, hopefully being there from the beginning of the year next year will help.

Crystal-Wings, LVN · Feb 22, 2018

This is my 3rd year as nurse here. The nurse I took over for retired. She had been here 18 years. I got alot of the "this is the way so and so did it" the first year, but it died down pretty quickly. We have teachers and staff come and go every year, so I'm not the "new" nurse anymore. I know there were several other nurses in the years previous to her, because I occasionally find signatures in old records, ect. When I started I found a couple old nursing textbooks from the 50's with notes written in the margin. The name in them is from a previous nures, I was told. I have them on my shelf for decoration :)

That is fascinating! I'd love to see a nursing textbook from the 50's!

Amethya · Feb 22, 2018

Last MA lasted 2 years and went to find another career.

cooties_are_real · Feb 22, 2018

Did you replace a school nurse when you started your school nursing job? If so, how many years had she been there when you came on board? If you replaced a "he - school nurse" you can correct me.
The nurse I replaced was there for 27 years. Our head nurse retired after 36 years in our district as a school nurse.

I tell everyone God created this job just for me. I am an LVN who did not work for 5 years while my littles were babies. I have an RN (district coordinator) housed here with me. I am the first one to hold this position.

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Feb 22, 2018

I did but she was only here for 2-3 years prior. We are a new school. I'm not sure why she left though. She was older so maybe just didn't have the patience or the drive to start a whole brand new health program for a district. I'm still trying to get things in place and organized as well as trying to determine what policies we need in place and how to get them there. I love knowing that I'm setting standards for our district though! Its stressful, but really neat to know I'm helping create the foundation for what I plan to be a great department in my district :)

Glitternurse, LVN · Feb 22, 2018

I tell everyone God created this job just for me. I am an LVN who did not work for 5 years while my littles were babies. I have an RN (district coordinator) housed here with me. I am the first one to hold this position.

I feel the same way. I actually left nursing and was working as an instructional aide for about 3 years so I could be on my children's school schedule. The RN had been trying to get another licensed person on staff to help her for 5 years. I found out after I got the position that they really wanted me for the position, once the nurse and nursing director found out I am an LVN they pushed really hard to get the position created. I feel so blessed to do what I love working with the population I prefer and most importantly I get to have more time with my kids.

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2018

Yes--she was here for 2 years. She left to care for her elderly parent. She's my sub & took over during my honeymoon.

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2018

Yes I did. The nurse I replaced moved to a different school but kept calling and asking if I was doing all these programs she did. Umm no, if you wanted those done here you shouldn't have left. Plus like others here, she had articles from 1980 something and notes from powerpoints she attended several years ago. She did put stuff on the computer but got so many dates entered wrong. She retired the year after she left my school. She also let the staff walk all over her so when I came I put my foot down and made major changes. There was also a lot of new staff coming in so for the most part things went pretty smoothly and still do. I must say I love my staff and have a very caring dedicated staff who are very easy to work with for the most part.