How much orientation??

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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?

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I developed the position, as my school had no nurse for the 9 years it was around. They basically told kids to go back to class after pointing a temporal thermometer at them. The temporal thermometer and sending sick kids back to reinfect have both died their appropriate deaths. This is your lifeline here, answers are a post away. Good luck. Look at the silver lining that a curt orientation allows you to develop your position to fit you.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

None. Literally none. I had other district nurses I could contact with questions but I seriously just had to figure it out for myself. I think that's pretty much how it works in school nursing. No hand holding or micro managing like in the hospital. At least that was my experience.

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And that is part of the charm of the position - autonomy and schedule.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

I had 4 hours with my mentor nurse before the school year started.

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Specializes in school nurse.

Orientation? What is this strange thing you ask about???

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Specializes in CVICU, SchoolRN, MICU, PCU/IMU, ED.

I got a few hours of orientation. Nothing really. Most of my training was on the job.

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Like everyone else...none. I was given a set of keys that I had to figure out what they opened and I was given the phone numbers for the other nurses in the district.

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No orientation here. Hardly even introduced to the staff by my principal. It was a tough adjustment at first but with the help of my fellow nurses in the district, I was able to figure out my own routine and set the office up the way I liked.

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Zero. Self guided tour is what I like to call it. It is difficult and steep learning curve. I had 2 school nurses I could call at any time to ask questions, so I wore them out my first year. It does get better and it is so worth it. I determined I would give it 3 full years and see if I liked it. I'm into my 6th year!

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Nothing official. The previous nurse came in and we talked for about 2 hours, but nothing actually relevant after I started with the kids.

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Specializes in keeper of tiny humans.

Been here a month, amount of orientation: ZERO.

Really feeling it today, too. Rough day, very discouraged. :/

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Been here a month, amount of orientation: ZERO.

Really feeling it today, too. Rough day, very discouraged. :/

We are but a post away.

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