First week done. I'm overwhelmed

[Mayflower22]

First week completed. Even though we are remote, I'm still feeling overwhelmed with everything. They said you don't feel comfortable until year 3. Hopefully I will get there someday. I do have great support. When did you feel comfortable as a school nurse?

[guest464345]

I'm pretty new too - starting my third year.  Looking back, I think that year one is about starting to control your office (don't let people run you ragged for shoelace knots, gum in hair, dress code violations), knowing and sticking to your state's Nurse Practice Act and your district's policies/standing orders, and figuring out how schools work.  All the nurses in this group, and in my case all the nurses in my district, are super helpful if you reach out with questions.  You're not alone!

You'll prioritize just like a nurse does anywhere - start by addressing the stuff that might kill people, then work your way down the priority list.  Check your AED, make an emergency bag, know your EpiPen/Narcan/inhaler protocols, get plans and supplies for your kids with diabetes, seizures, CF, heart conditions.  Administrators have other ideas about what's a priority - yes, you need to get screenings and vaccines done, but probably no one's going to die if the letter doesn't go out in the next two hours about the polio shot or glasses they've been missing for five years.

Year two was a lot easier than year one for me.  Starting out with an organized office helped :)  Now for year three I've switched to a much bigger school & kinda feel like a newbie again.   

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

@laflaca Well-said.

OP you know how to do the nursing things. It's just finding out how to do the things the way the district wants you to (overlaid of course with all of this COVID stuff). Breathe. Year two is definitely easier.

[Mayflower22]

On 9/8/2020 at 11:07 AM, ruby_jane said:

@laflaca Well-said.

OP you know how to do the nursing things. It's just finding out how to do the things the way the district wants you to (overlaid of course with all of this COVID stuff). Breathe. Year two is definitely easier.

Thank you! I'm trying.

On 9/7/2020 at 6:02 PM, laflaca said:

I'm pretty new too - starting my third year.  Looking back, I think that year one is about starting to control your office (don't let people run you ragged for shoelace knots, gum in hair, dress code violations), knowing and sticking to your state's Nurse Practice Act and your district's policies/standing orders, and figuring out how schools work.  All the nurses in this group, and in my case all the nurses in my district, are super helpful if you reach out with questions.  You're not alone!

You'll prioritize just like a nurse does anywhere - start by addressing the stuff that might kill people, then work your way down the priority list.  Check your AED, make an emergency bag, know your EpiPen/Narcan/inhaler protocols, get plans and supplies for your kids with diabetes, seizures, CF, heart conditions.  Administrators have other ideas about what's a priority - yes, you need to get screenings and vaccines done, but probably no one's going to die if the letter doesn't go out in the next two hours about the polio shot or glasses they've been missing for five years.

Year two was a lot easier than year one for me.  Starting out with an organized office helped ? Now for year three I've switched to a much bigger school & kinda feel like a newbie again.   

Thank you for the advice!

[linderl]

2nd yr as a school nurse, I have prk-8 th grade over 1100 kids. I feel like I need a epi pen in my office for general use. Where do I get that? Should   I ask our Local health Commissioner?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, linderl said:

2nd yr as a school nurse, I have prk-8 th grade over 1100 kids. I feel like I need a epi pen in my office for general use. Where do I get that? Should   I ask our Local health Commissioner?

See previous thread re free epi-pen from Mylan manufacturer

ttps://allnurses.com/free-epi-pens-locker-t601559/?tab=comments#comment-6281720

 

[nursetlm, ADN]

Every year our district gets standing orders from a local physician to use epi pens, glucose tabs and oxygen. Make sure you obtain orders. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

On 9/12/2020 at 9:59 PM, linderl said:

2nd yr as a school nurse, I have prk-8 th grade over 1100 kids. I feel like I need a epi pen in my office for general use. Where do I get that? Should   I ask our Local health Commissioner?

1100 students??? How do you get anything done?

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

This is my 17th year as a school nurse in a large high school with 2,000 students. I have never been ovberwhelmed before, but COVID-19 is definitely throwing a wrenchinto everything that I normally do. I am LOST! It doesn't help that we get a new and different form of directives every day... UGH! Just let it be over soon!

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I felt comfortable last year (year 3).  Now here I am, year 4, feeling like a newbie & quite uncomfortable again.

[Amethya]

First day of school and I was sent to help out a nurse at a school with more than 50% of students in person permanently until they decide to send me back to my float position. The nurse is very kind and we get along really well, and we are just filled to the brim with new procedures and paperwork. The worse part for us the parents, who get so upset over our new rules. She's gotten the worse of the blow and I have to remind her all the time, she's a good nurse and to ignore these mean parents, we both have come close to cry due to these people.

We are a bit overwhelmed but since we are both together and she's not doing this alone, it's helping with morale.

What you guys are saying, exactly what we are also talking about sometimes, is that we totally feel uncomfortable using our nursing judgments. Our head nurse always tells us to trust it, but good gods, this year? We are just so confused and trying so hard to take control of the situation. I really want to tell these angry parents to chill out, we are try to keep thing as simple as possible, but we aren't' the ones who make these new rules, we are just following what our uppers are telling us to do. We don't want to send kids home, but we have to due to our rules. I don't like the idea of missing 10 days of work due to something that could be a cold or allergies, but we can't do anything about it.

 

Besides, this new thing going on, I'm doing quite well. It's my second year here at my new school district and in my 5th year as a CMA and 4th year doing school nursing. Here's hoping things go well for you guys too. 

[linderl]

Yes ! all of the new rules are as clear as mud! I have over 1100 students. Pre-k -8th grade. We have approx 100 out still on E learning. I am not looking forward to after FAll Break, when they all come back!