Field Trips

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How do you all handle sending medications during Field Trips?

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
22 hours ago, jess11RN said:

I do the same. For kiddos who take regular daily medications, I call the parents to see if they can skip. If so, I document and rejoice. If they can't skip, I send 1 pill in the original labeled bottle (I keep an extra bottle when I get refills or ask the parents to ask for an extra for me at their pharmacy). Don't just put the med in an envelope and label-this is considered relabeling, and is not supported by your nursing license.

I had honestly not thought of this, so I looked up the Texas NPA regarding Delegation for the School Nurse.

"According to Board Rule 225.11(1), a RN may delegate the administration of medications from a daily reminder pill container. This rule section also applies to RNs who delegate medication administration to UAPs in the school setting when there is from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified district employee...

Thus, the RN may prepare unit dose medications in a separate container for the designated UAP to administer. There are training requirements stipulated in the rule and it is strongly advised that the RN label the medication including such information as the name of the medication, student's name, dose, time to be administered, and route and adverse effects which may be associated with the medication. Although it is beyond the purview of the BON, Texas Education Code, Chapter 22, Section 22.052 grants immunity from liability to school district employees, as long as current district policy is followed, have a signed parental consent form and the medication appears to be in the original container or single dose container."

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Specializes in School nursing.
31 minutes ago, BunnyBunnyBSNRN said:

I had honestly not thought of this, so I looked up the Texas NPA regarding Delegation for the School Nurse.

"According to Board Rule 225.11(1), a RN may delegate the administration of medications from a daily reminder pill container. This rule section also applies to RNs who delegate medication administration to UAPs in the school setting when there is from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified district employee...

Thus, the RN may prepare unit dose medications in a separate container for the designated UAP to administer. There are training requirements stipulated in the rule and it is strongly advised that the RN label the medication including such information as the name of the medication, student's name, dose, time to be administered, and route and adverse effects which may be associated with the medication. Although it is beyond the purview of the BON, Texas Education Code, Chapter 22, Section 22.052 grants immunity from liability to school district employees, as long as current district policy is followed, have a signed parental consent form and the medication appears to be in the original container or single dose container."

I have specific pill envelopes for this - they have labeling for name, med, dose, time, route, adverse rxns. And I also put this in a plastic baggie with student's name on it in large lettering. And delegate it to the teacher in charge of trip; I have trained all teachers to use Epi-pens, Inhaler, oral medications (ADHD meds really) because I never know which one is in charge of the trip.

For diabetics, I don't pack glucagon. Because I can't delegate it. I talk with parents about this and let them know my emergency plan, which involves 911 being called. Parents thus far actually LOVE this - because even though their student should, they are not carrying their glucagon with them when not at school and they realize most teacher, even those trained would not be able to administer it well/fast/correctly. We focus on care to avoid a low where glucagon is needed. Also, thanks to CGMs I can monitor a student from my office who in is a field trip and ping a trained teacher if needed to prompt diabetic care. BUT, i work with older kids - MS/HS which helpign student learn to manage their own chronic illness is part of my ongoing goal.

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I'm an "extra" float nurse for my district so the certified nurses can rotate. Sometimes I'm alone in a building they would normally be in. Sometimes I'm in a busier building as a second nurse during peak hours or to be an RN along with an aide. I'm the back-up cushion if we can't get a sub for illness or trips- we might have to have a busy building staffed with only one nurse then so we can keep one nurse in each building (all have students that must have nurse access) and one on the trip. We have subs as well but in prime trip season, they are hard to come by!

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Specializes in Med-Surg; Pain Clinic; School Nurse.

we send the daily dose for the student in the medication bottle it comes in and put the rest of the pills in a separate bag or container labeled with the students information. A trained teacher or aide then signs the medication out and back in at the end of the trip. We also ensure all teachers going on the trip are trained to administer medication. If a diabetic is going on the trip and the parent is not able to go, the aide or nurse has to go. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to have teacher volunteer to provide care for the diabetic so we ensure we give them all the training they need to provide proper care.

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Specializes in kids.

When one of my diabetics traveled to Cananda, he was put under the care of a para who has extensive knowledge of DM and I trained in GLucagon. But mom also decided to just "run him a little sweet" on his sugars to avoid any unnecessary lows. Work out perfectly.

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Thanks guys! I have two written policies in the handbook- lice and med administration, nothing specific to field trips. I appreciate all the input. Previous years I was putting their field trip dose in an envelope and sending that way, but this year I found out that was not right so I’ve been sending my blister packs (how our meds have to come to the school) with a “trained” teacher to give it. Idk any different so I’ve trained those that have students with seizures on how to give diastat, diabetes, inhalers, Epis, glucagon. If there is a reason I cannot do this, PLEASE let me know so I can present it to someone. I don’t go on any field trips bc it’s only me for my county with no sub nurses.

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