How to talk to your kids about Sex....and other things to know from your School Nurse

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

I'm a High School Nurse and that's the title of the workshop I will be running during Title 1 night. The Principal came up with the name and asked if I would do the workshop. I agreed. This will be interesting. I'm excited, and nervous, and I'm not sure if I will be prepared enough. Also, I do not have any kids and I'm on the young side (Not old enough to get great rates on my car insurance yet). So, to all my fellow nurses out there: does anyone have any suggestions for me to talk about to? So far my mind has brainstormed:

-ways to prevent (or try to prevent) texting and driving

-even though YOU aren't talking to them about sex, SOMEONE else is

-vaccinations before college/graduation

-decreasing your teen's digital cord without strangling them

-Breaking Bad habits: texting during family time, soda consumption, tv/video game time

-Q&A time

Any help would be greatly appreciated and yes I will give you a special shout out in my awesome PowerPoint :cat:

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Specializes in retired LTC.

NO drinking & driving.

Bullying in boyfriend-girlfriend relations (as a prelude to spousal abuse). This is a personal topic for me.)

Just a couple suggestions ----

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

When I was working in the HS, I was surprised at how many kids knew they shouldn't drink and drive but thought they could drive high "if they're very careful". WHAT?

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Specializes in kids.

Does your school do the Youth Risk Behavior Survey? if so there should be some GREAT data there about what is happening in your district.

It addresses: drugs, alcohol, driving, mental health (suicide atttempts).....if not there is information on the CDC re the national trends.

Alos texting, sexting, socail media, the list goes on and on....good luck!

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Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

HIV/AIDS statistics in our young people.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

Thank you guys so much for all the awesome ideas! I'm super excited, but kinda sad I only get 20 mins. When I finish the final project I'll post everything that I'm going to go over and my resources for anyone that would like them :cat:

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Specializes in kids.

If you have such a short time, try and gather some handouts and then tell them you will have more info in your office and for them to feel free to pop in (during a non academic time unless it is a life threataning emergency) if they have any more ?s. I try to always let them know the door is open.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
If you have such a short time, try and gather some handouts and then tell them you will have more info in your office and for them to feel free to pop in (during a non academic time unless it is a life threataning emergency) if they have any more ?s. I try to always let them know the door is open.

Great idea! The hard part for me is finding health info in English and Spanish since I live in a city 30 mins. from the Border. Also, unfortunately I don't have any non-academic time since I leave at 3 when the kids get out. I would totally be okay working until 4pm and have an 8 hour day since I'm more productive when I know kids aren't around and my potential of being called is really low (i.e. minimum days). I'll definitely let my parents know that's I always have an open-door policy and I'll see if I can get the District to give me more Business cards to hand out. I didn't even think of that!

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Specializes in kids.
Great idea! The hard part for me is finding health info in English and Spanish since I live in a city 30 mins. from the Border. Also, unfortunately I don't have any non-academic time since I leave at 3 when the kids get out. I would totally be okay working until 4pm and have an 8 hour day since I'm more productive when I know kids aren't around and my potential of being called is really low (i.e. minimum days). I'll definitely let my parents know that's I always have an open-door policy and I'll see if I can get the District to give me more Business cards to hand out. I didn't even think of that!

CDC does multi language hand outs. Good Luck~

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many students believe that anal sex is not a form of sexual intercourse an do not really understand the dangers or the ramifications of it.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Great you are doing this

For a short talk I would try not cover too much. If there is an evaluation, have them tell you the topics they would like to hear about.

Maybe there could be a regular forum for you to meet with them

This is a great role for school nurses.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

Well, last night was my presentation at one of my high schools. Since I only had 20 mins. and 2 sessions I kept my PowerPoint short and just to the topic of talking to your kids about sex. No parents attended my 2 workshops. NONE. I'm not really surprised considering my county is in the top 5 for most teen pregnancies in my State. I'm keeping my hope up for my 2nd high school which is bigger. Since I have a hour to present I will incorporate more teen issues in to the presentation and some awesome YouTube videos I found. Thanks everyone for your help! I guess the silver lining out of all this is that administration really liked my PowerPoint and a lot of staff asked for copies of it.

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