I am officially a school nurse.

[schoolnursejennie]

so i had an interview at a special needs school for grades k-12 and ages 5-21 and i got the job!!!!!! i start friday with the current school nurse to learn the ropes and then on monday i am on my own. i am so excited!

[virgo,student nurse, CNA]

congrats

[SchoolRNAmy]

CONGRATS!!!

That's wonderful news!!!

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

congrats !! wow......only a one day orientation ??

praiser :redpinkhe

[schoolnursejennie]

thanks!!!!

praiser: yes the orientation is one day. how long is a typical orientation in your experience?

[bsyrn, ASN, RN]

congrats on the position but I would hope you would get a longer orientation....at least a week....push for it

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

thanks!!!!

praiser: yes the orientation is one day. how long is a typical orientation in your experience?

I've had two different school nurse jobs and i had 1 week orientatation for each. I think you need to really push for more orientation. I'm assuming that your special ed kids have more than just the routine ADHD meds, insulin, and inhalers, right?

Oh, and congratulations I hope you love it!

[schoolnursejennie]

in this particular school there are no diabetic kids. there are asthmatics and out of 300 kids only 8 receive medication during the day. the school does not have any kids with debilitating physical problems, only emotional disturbances and autism.

[Sudsy]

Wow! NEATO! Good luck. I hope you enjoy it.

Even though it's "only" emotional disturbances and autism, I'd also like to see you get a longer orientation. It would be great if you could take notes on the '"frequent fliers" and find out what worked/didn't work for the previous nurse.

[schoolnursejennie]

thanks! i didn't mean "only" in a way to undermine the seriousness of what the kids are going through but rather to differentiate between emotional and physical disorders. i will definitely find out as much information as i can about the frequent fliers and the protocols and policies of the school. because i am only being given a one day orientation, i will find out as much information as i possibly can! do you have any other ideas about what i can ask the school nurse or what information is pertinent to acquire before i start on my own? thanks!!!

[Sudsy]

I'd make sure to ask what's the hardest thing she's had to deal with.....I guess i'm not really sure what else you should ask (I'm only a few weeks ahead of you in the school nurse dept!), but I would take a new notebook and write notes on EVERYTHING you see her doing/asking/telling you.....

And also ask her if she would be available for phone consultation.

Good luck.

[schoolnursejennie]

sudsy: thank you so much for your help! those are all great suggestions and i will be sure to follow them.