ICU to middle school nurse. Any advice would be appreciated!

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Aug 15, 2021

Have permission forms ready for parents when they drop off meds.

Review (hopefully electronically) your current students immunizations for compliance.

Learn how to get allergy and other significant health info to teachers.

Make a solid connection with guidance.

Good Luck!!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2021

Above is good advice. Yes make sure kids have their required shots and if not be calling the parents and follow your district guidelines.

Think about what a teacher may need to know about their students to keep them safe. Example: if John has diabetes they need to know that, the signs of low and high blood sugar, when to come to you, etc. That's where the emergency care plans come into play. They need to know who has allergies and if anyone may need an epi pen and where that epi pen will be kept. They need to know who to send daily to you for ADHD meds. Things like that. The first few days I'd just give them the basics until you have time to write up a very detailed care plan if needed.

Get your Dr orders quickly as possible. Call parents to get more info on issues or restrictions.

See kids who come to see you for not feeling well or injuries. There should be some protocol your district has for that like a fever over 100 goes home, pink eye we send our's to a Dr and can't return until treated...etc.

Give teachers a few bandaids for their classrooms. Figure out your system for student visits like should teachers call you first, send with a pass, just send without a pass whenever??? I prefer a call so I can say wait if I'm already dealing with a sick kid.

Figure out your covid guidelines.

Your school will be having fire drills, lockdown drills, shelter in place etc so figure out your role in those.

The school system is pretty laid back about stuff. Most teachers and even principals don't even know exactly what all you need to do or what you may be working on daily. The principal only cares that the teachers and parents are happy and that the student is doing well. Anything you do that helps that process you'll be looked favorably upon. Then whenever you inadvertently mess something up or someone gets mad at how you handled something (even if it wasn't wrong) just learn to let it roll off your back. Choose your battles wisely. Nurses don't usually win unless we can say it's against the law or policy. It's a fine line. You give too much they want to walk all over you, you give too little they don't like you you will be labeled "difficult" and they will make your life difficult. Just learn to be flexible, stand your ground on the important things, and go with the flow and you'll be fine!!

Best wishes!

Avill, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2021

Find out if you have to do medicaid billing and how.
Find out how many kids have nursing services on their IEPS, to see who you have to see montly ect. That's part of how we get funding.

Prepare yourself for a lot of talks and kiddos who have nobody at home. I feel at the upper level we deal with a lot of mental health. Just speak what you know, the older students know when you're pulling their leg. Also, don't be afraid to call them out on their bluff, they will appreciate it ?

nursekoll, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2021

See if your state has a School nurse's association, school nurse state consultant, or school nurse mentor program. These 3 were very helpful to me in my first few years. Also reading the laws and regulations regarding school health and practicing nursing outside of a hospital setting. Ask your administration for guidelines on what is expected of you/ your job description, as this can vary widely from each school and state.