First day of school nursing

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Jan 7, 2014

Welcome! Familiarize yourself with your office and equipment, talk to guidance-they are great resource, talk to your administrator, start to read through files, maybe by YOG (year of graduation), look for emergency lists and familiarize your self with those kids, check in with your school nurse association and get on their list serve, check your supplies ( check for expired meds-happens to the best of us)....that is a start! Check back in here as needed!

abc123RN · Jan 7, 2014

A newbie here as well, although I had the advantage of working as a sub for two months before becoming the new nurse for this school. I feel its really important to know the students and their needs so I have a list of medically fragile students on my desk. I also have organized to have often used forms located in a file organizer on my desk. I also keep a running "to do" list and calender so I don't miss those important dates to have things done. It's a learning process and I have much to learn but maybe this will be helpful to you as well. And I welcome any and all tips, advice as well, so, so much to learn.

fetch, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2014

If there are any other school nurses in your district, they might be able to give you tips specific to your population, state (for regulations, etc), documentation requirements, technology, etc. Having a "mentor" just a phone call away has really been nice!

I came into an office that was totally not set up, so I had to play around with things to get it feeling right. My first set up felt like a dorm room! But now I've got it so the doorway is in my line of sight - no more quiet kids sneaking up behind me. My old scale/height chart is behind a cot where I can easily pull it out but the ADHD kiddos can't clamber all over it. Have bandages right out on my desk so teachers can pop in and grab a few if I'm busy with someone, along with all the "most used" supplies -- thermometer, water cups, saline wash, cotton balls, calamine, tissues, gloves.

I also bought a pack of those plain white address labels, like you can use to print on? I label EVERYTHING with those. What's in desk drawers, how the clothing closet is organized, students' inhalers and spacers, even have a couple on my printer with the school's address and notes to myself. They're good for field trips too -- when the whole preschool went to the museum, I put each class's inhalers in a seperate gallon ziplock and labelled that with the students' name. Stayed on for the whole day, peeled off afterwards, ziploc can be re-used later!

Hope that helps a little at least.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2014

I also bought a pack of those plain white address labels, like you can use to print on? I label EVERYTHING with those. What's in desk drawers, how the clothing closet is organized, students' inhalers and spacers, even have a couple on my printer with the school's address and notes to myself. They're good for field trips too -- when the whole preschool went to the museum, I put each class's inhalers in a seperate gallon ziplock and labelled that with the students' name. Stayed on for the whole day, peeled off afterwards, ziploc can be re-used later!
Hope that helps a little at least.

I use ziplock bags for all my student's inhalers. Of course, I have a filing cabinet set-up, drawer for each grade, slot for each kid, inhaler in one labeled baggie, epi-pen in another (several kids have both). Very easy to pull for field trips indeed.

I had three filing cabinets in my office to which I only needed 6 drawers for six grades for physical paperwork (I manage ~450 kids). The remaining drawers? Well, I pulled all three cabinets to left of my desk. I decided to make the one right next to my desk my best friend.

Top drawers is filed with OTCs and commonly used equipment such as thermometer, tape, basic aids, etc. 2nd drawer had my daily meds - I have a thoroughly labeled weekly pill box that I fill every Friday after school from each kids prescription bottle. Helps me stay on track and since I do not have a sub (charter school), keeps staff on track if I am unexpectedly absent. 3rd drawer has pads/tampons/OTC overstock. The whole cabinet locks at night. Spare key if I am unexpectedly absent is with the principle. I thought I'd hate the filing cabinet, but I love having every so close and easy to access, yet so organized, hidden, and out of the way! :)