How much orientation??

Specialties School

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I'm new to school nursing (just completed my first week), and I'm wondering what the usual orientation time is. I guess it could vary but I'm not sure 2 days with a sub who doesn't usually take care of any of the paperwork is enough. :( How much orientation did you get?

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

None. I honestly figured it all out on my own. I was the first new school nurse in quite some time, and no one considered (school staff, other nurses in the district) that I had NO clue what I was doing (as a school nurse). We now have a school nurse orientation manual for that very reason. :D

The other nurses in the district were nice and were like "Call if you have any questions!." I didn't even know what questions to ask.

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About 5 hours with the senior nurse in the district.

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A couple of days with the nurse who had first worked on the new contract with the school. Not many specific instructions, good luck!!

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None and I am the only Nurse in the District so it was a really a figure it out yourself type of situation! Those were a fun first few weeks! Reach out to other Nurses in your district (if you have them) or in neighboring districts for help/questions. Good Luck!

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None. I do have 3 other nurses in the district that I'm able to call, but a lot of it is just us winging it! Good luck and we are always here to help!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

I got none because my school was new so I was the first nurse. I went over to meet the MS/HS nurse who tried to show me the ropes, but pretty much nothing she showed me was applicable to my little Kindergarteners and First Graders. As hard as it was initially, I am actually glad I wasn't taking over for someone else because I could make this job my own, I had no shoes to fill, and could design systems that worked for me without having to implement a huge change with the teachers.

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Official orientation? None. I did however get about 2 weeks (but only part time so more like 6, 4 hour days, total) with the previous nurse. She was in the middle of hearing/vision/spinal screenings so that is what we focused on. Everything else I'm having to figure out on my own. I'm just glad I can "tuck and roll" pretty well...

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

The previous nurse retired after school was out, so I was hired in the summer. We meet up at the office and spent about 4 hours going over stuff. That was the extent of my orientation! I was a sub, so I had an idea, but subs did surface work ( seen the kids, gave the meds ) no paperwork or the million other things we do. So it was a learn as you go kind of thing. I kind of let staff know that if I was supposed to be doing something and I wasnt doing it, to please let me know, because I probably didn't know I was to do it!

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None. And I was none too pleased about it. I'm still here though- my second year.

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None. Figured it out on my own and still figuring it out sometimes.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

So, you got 2 more days of orientation than most!!! Heck, you're trained up now :yes:!!

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