General questions about what to do

Flare, ASN, BSN · Oct 16, 2013

Just like hospital nursing, it's all a matter of priority. My first priority when school reconvenes is to make sure that vaccine compliance is in shape, start processing medication orders and get the diabetics settled in. Next is to go through your emergency info cards and updates to review allergies and asthmatics. Usually, depending on grade level, you will have sports thrown somewhere in the mix and that usually has to get off the ground pretty quickly in the beginning of the year too. So the first few weeks of school you get quite a few pots simmering on the stove pretty quickly. Oh and don't forget all the visits from the kids that won't be used to having a full day of demands placed on them. Headaches and stomach aches usually start coming into the office after about the second or third day.

Not trying to scare you off! lol it's just normal for most offices to be hectic, especially in the first few weeks of the SY.

As far as the paperwork questions, I'd advise you to join your county school nurse's association. I believe most of the counties in NJ have them. This way you will be able to network with other nurses in your area. The state is pretty good about sending letters telling you when the mandatory reports are due (i'm in NJ too, btw). Most are submitted on line, but if you are tasked with other duties that i don't do, like free/ reduced lunch i'm not sure about that paperwork.

and lastly, don't forget that you can always come here with questions - we're your virtual sounding board - just a bit quieter in the summer!!

Wave Watcher · Oct 17, 2013

We started closing our clinics the first week of school so we can get ahead of the paper work game. We only see students with daily meds, diabetics, scheduled medical procedures and emergencies. We close our doors and put a sign on the outside as a reminder to staff and student. Plus, an email is sent out to everyone prior to the first day to let them know why clinic is closed. Worked pretty good for us this year.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 17, 2013

Flare nailed it! I am in HS so sport physicals and ImPact testing (neurocognitive baseline) all happens before they step through the door on the first day! Check in with administration to find out what their expectations are and also check in with other school nurses in your district.

Good Luck!!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

One nurse has been out 4 days and has 2 coming up already? Wow...I get 8 sick/personal days a year per my contract. But working in a charter school where we do not have a nurse sub (working on that), it means being out is way more trouble than it is ever worth for me.

As for paperwork, flare above sets up a similar timeline to mine. Immunizations information is due 10/30 to my department of health, so I know my timing there. My school has five days of returning staff orientation (and two weeks of new staff orientation) with built in time for setting up offices/paperowrk, etc. This year, the school health paperwork had been sent home earlier than usual (June vs. July) and I had a larger stack waiting for me to enter, which got me a little ahead of the game. I am new this year to these grades in my school, so I had a lot of curious kids "testing" me out, so to speak. Don't forget to think ahead to schedule screenings if you are the one doing them (previous years, my school had used outside help, this year, it is me and one other nurse).

It was very busy and still is to a degree, but I am both used to it and it has settled some. (But..soccer this year has been harsh on the injuries and at the time when I have scheduled screenings, I have 4 temporary 504 plans for concussions simmering.)

I come here all the time to read and ask questions - school nurses need to stick together :).

leahrn1 · Oct 21, 2013

Thanks ladies!!! I really appreciate the help and support! Where in NJ are you flare? I'm all the way up in Sussex County. Just saw a job posted and it said "School Nurse" then later in the info stated long term substitute. What is this? So, it's not a permanent position? I'm thinking of applying anyway. So super nervous!

Flare, ASN, BSN · Oct 21, 2013

a long term sub is usually hired when someone is going to be out for a length of time due to surgery, illness or maternity... though often it's specified if it's a maternity fill. Why not apply? what do you have to lose :)

I'm north jersey too!

100kids, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2013

I always get immunization and physical stuff out of the way right away since my state requires reporting by 10/31. Then after that I move right into vision/hearing screening. My goal is to get that all competed by Jan 1st.

leahrn1 · Nov 1, 2013

Me again!!

So, I called the school inquiring if they knew how long this "long term sub" would be. It was the superintendent's office. They said they couldn't really give me an answer given the nature of the circumstances and the the current sub has been there 3 years!! I'm guessing their hands are tied. I heard through the grapevine that the nurse there had fallen, so I'm assuming everything is being held up by disability? I dunno.. At first I thought they were scamming the system and not hiring someone so they don't have to pay a salary and benefits. Who knows. I dunno if I should apply or not. It's taking a huge risk if nothing opens up. I'd be quitting my hospital job and I just don't know what to do.

How long can someone be out from a fall like that? I thought there was a time period where they would have to let them retire or terminate them so they can hire someone else?