How many nurses in your school??

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Hello everyone!

I am wondering how many nurses are typically present in each school . I know if it's a small school it's usually just one but say for a high school with more students would there be 2? I have an interview coming up but am a little nervous if I were to get the job because I don't have any school nursing experience, just 5 mos in a pedi office and a year of psych . Any advice?? I'm from ct if that helps. Also, would love to hear from those who started in school nursing with little to no experience . Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

We have 425 students in my school and I am the only nurse. Our largest school in our district has well over a 1000 students and they only have one nurse. We don't have a single school in our system that has more than one nurse. I do know that some schools apparently have health aids or maybe a float nurse that comes in and out to help out.

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We have 425 students in my school and I am the only nurse. Our largest school in our district has well over a 1000 students and they only have one nurse. We don't have a single school in our system that has more than one nurse. I do know that some schools apparently have health aids or maybe a float nurse that comes in and out to help out.

Do you think it would be safe for someone with no school nursing experience to work by themselves? I am mostly worried about emergencies and how to handle them as I have never really had to deal with them in the past.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

Most of the schools in our district are 1 nurse to 2 schools. Only the larger schools (the largest middle schools and all the high schools) have their own nurse. We have no health aides. No schools have more than one nurse. I'm in the Midwest.

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Are you a RN or Lvn? I'm just curious, because I'm kinda in the same boat. I'm a LVN but i have been one for over 20 years. I applied for a school district position. I have no experience in school. I have some hospital and all doctor office experience and No peds! I'm nervous too. I am going on my 2nd interview. Good luck to you I wish I could help.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I have 620 on my campus, PK-4...the district is realigning so next year I'll have 5th grade here too. That'll put me around 725. We have 7 campuses in our district - 1 nurse on each campus. Our High School has a little over 1200. That nurse utilizes student office aides. There may be some out there but I haven't heard of 2 nurses being on one campus. Usually it's just the one nurse or one nurse covering multiple campuses. Most likely, you will work alone.....which is the way all the school nurses I've talked to like it!!! Complete autonomy in our clinics.

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One nurse in my elementary school (K-5) for 607 students. The only time it gets dicey is tracking all their records and having to send out letters begging for physicals, Imm records, etc.

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In my area, middle and high schools (and the combined ones, like K-8 or 6-12), all have one RN and one "health clerk". My understanding is that the clerk can be an MA but doesn't have to be - she does a lot of the paperwork and organization, as well as a bit of basic triage (students sign in on her desk, she sends any actual issues to the nurse but papercuts/need tampons/etc she can handle).

All of the elementary only schools have one RN no matter our size, which is 200-600 depending.

I started with one year's experience as a nurse, and only then because my first nursing job required so much independence that I was used to being the only RN around and making quick decisions. If you're nervous about it, you can ask to observe a typical day at one of the other schools in your area. And if you don't wind up getting the job, but your schedule allows it, you might want to sign up as a substitute nurse for the district -- it'll keep your foot in the door, and you'll get to see how things are before getting thrown in entirely on your own.

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You're looking at her. *waves*

Edit: 7-12, about 725 kids. I have a non medical secretary. There is also an Athletic Trainer who works part time but is very good. She's in her early 20s and we get along great. She does a lot of the sports stuff, including our concussion RTP.

I used to work with her RN sis whenever I floated to Onc at my old hospital job. Small world.

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Middle school, grades 3-8: 1000 kids..... 0 school nurses

I think it's dangerous... All they have is a secretary who took a first aid class

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.
Do you think it would be safe for someone with no school nursing experience to work by themselves? I am mostly worried about emergencies and how to handle them as I have never really had to deal with them in the past.

Well, it would depend on how you are at handling emergencies and nursing priorities. Every nurse is different and has different strengths and weaknesses. You may do great working a school by yourself but put another nurse with the same background as you in your school and they may make a total mess of it. Just depends.

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Are you a RN or Lvn? I'm just curious, because I'm kinda in the same boat. I'm a LVN but i have been one for over 20 years. I applied for a school district position. I have no experience in school. I have some hospital and all doctor office experience and No peds! I'm nervous too. I am going on my 2nd interview. Good luck to you I wish I could help.

I'm an rn. Good luck to you as well ! Let me know if you get the job!!

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