How to get started

I feel like the reports/ health conditions are priority. I reach out to parents via email to ask for health care plans for chronic conditions, asthma, food allergy. I try to get all of the parents to bring in signed copies of action plans from physician before the kids return to school. That does not happen. But then I go through and make sure I'm aware of what these kids have so I can be prepared. Next of course I try and get immunizations in as they come in. Its crazy at the beginning. This is my 2ns year, so its a bit better. This forum saved me!! Good luck!

I'm in the same boat! Brand new school nurse after being in a pediatric hospital. I'm meeting with our district's lead nurse on Wednesday but I had to reach out to her. No one had contacted me about anything and I was freaking out because I have no idea where to start. I'm going to just trust that I'll figure it out! That's all I can do, right? School doesn't start until September 6 so I'm just going to get as much advice as I can on what I should be working on. Good luck!!!

I feel like the reports/ health conditions are priority. I reach out to parents via email to ask for health care plans for chronic conditions, asthma, food allergy. I try to get all of the parents to bring in signed copies of action plans from physician before the kids return to school. That does not happen. But then I go through and make sure I'm aware of what these kids have so I can be prepared. Next of course I try and get immunizations in as they come in. Its crazy at the beginning. This is my 2ns year, so its a bit better. This forum saved me!! Good luck!

For the returning students; how do you go about checking their immunizations?

I am done with all the new immunizations that have came in.

im just curious to know how you go back and check all the returning students to see if they are compliant

It can be so overwhelming and frustrating because what other specialty throws you in there with so little help and guidance? It will be ok. These kids are going to school so they're healthy and you just need to prepare for them to attend school and stay safe and healthy.

I agree with the others. Now that you ran health problems contact parents to get those meds and orders in asap. Get diet orders sent to right people and notify cooks. Then make a list for teachers of those taking meds, any allergies, treatments, etc that they need to be aware of. If a teacher has a student that needs to leave the class every day to check a blood sugar, let them know. Things like that.

Then shots. Find out who still needs shots and call parents to remind them their kid needs them before school starts! These things will take most or all of the free time you have.

This is also a good time to write your teachers a quick note introducing yourself, your policy on student visits (written passes or calling first, when you're going to lunch, procedures for going home, gym excuses, or anything you'd like them to know.

Organize your office. Get ice stocked up. Get any staff trained when you can. Make emergency care plans for teachers, etc. Later on get Medicaid billing started, care plans, screenings of any kind, 504 plans updated, any health info updated that you didn't know about, etc.

After a couple months everything will calm down just in time for flu season. Good luck!

We have a way to run an immunization report on our grades and shots. You'll have to contact someone you work with that can tell you that knows your computer system. Your secretary might know or computer center or director.

Do they give you that much time to get ready or are you going in on your own time? We had 2 prep days and one of those was meetings.

As far as immunizations. The only way I can survive this, even after many, many years as a school nurse. Is this... in Missouri, we have ShowMeVax. It is the statewide database. Not all dr. offices enter immunizations into it, but most do and of course our Health Departments. Whatever state you are in. I highly encourage you to check and see if there is such a lifesaver as this.

Good luck! I promise it gets easier after the first few weeks. Come here for our help and support. We have all been right where you are at now. AND...when make sure you get it into your routine to wear pink on Wednesday!!

I am in Kansas I have to see if they have state wide data base