I'm just so confused. :(

Morganalefey · Sep 25, 2013

What specifically is it you are confused about? I see my students, I document, I cya, and that is my priority. The immunizations, etc, are 2nd hat to that. I will get that done, when I get that done.

We have over 500 kids in my school, and while the paperwork can be overwhelming, it's do-able. I do it before they come in, I do it b/w students (when I can) and do what I can after school.

Breathe. It will all get done.

schooldistrictnurse · Sep 25, 2013

Give us more specifics and we'll all try to help you.

Stitchy's mom · Sep 25, 2013

There's just so much, immunizations for example. They have to be reported to the state, but how? I have to do these forms for the Child Study Team, but I don't know where to get them. The school expects me to know all this stuff, but I've never done this type of nursing before. I've got the medicine down, okay the first asthma kid might give me pause, but that's more because it's newish. I've got to teach some health classes, I did one yesterday, but how can I do that when I've got kids in and out. Yesterday when I came back there was a kid waiting for me. Throw in the 9 hr. days 5 days in a row (except when there's after school meetings, then it's another hour or more), yes, I know here come the violins, but how many of us have worked 5 days straight? Yes we work 5 days a week, but usually they're broken up or we do 3 12 hour shifts. Sometimes I just want to cry. :arghh:

100kids, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2013

Which state are you in? That may help someone who knows exactly what you need to do come speak up.

As for the paperwork the beginning of the school year IS overwhelming with paperwork but it's not always like that. I find excel spreadsheets help me for keeping track of what I need, what I've gotten and who I need to chase. Again the day to day stuff comes first and then the paperwork. I need to submit my immunization report to the state electronically by October 31st in my state so there's time.

9 hour days! Yikes those are long days. I work 8-3 with a 30 in lunch (although I almost never have time for that). For me working 5 days is hard sometimes but the payback is 10 weeks off at summer and a week off at Christmas, in February and again in April. I'm home when my kids get off the bus from school too so that's great.

I teach Health classes as well in my school. The key is to have someone who the kids can go see if you're not in your office. Our Main Office secretary does this for me. I am only interrupted out of class for emergencies (bleeding to death or cannot breathe or serious injury on the playground) for anything else she takes their name and ailment and after my class I go do classroom calls. I teach 1 class per day. How many are you doing and how often?

School Nursing for me is never boring, I'm always busy and like me you're in a small school so other responsibilities are constantly added. They need someone to fill every role and there just aren't a lot of staff available. My advice: take a deep breath, do what you can, take care of the kids daily needs that's most important, document your care and give it time. The 1st year was hard but after that I got in a groove. Hang in there! And feel free to ask advice here. We have all done the same or close to the same things you need to.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2013

I also work 9 hours days (7:30-4:30), with a homework group I supervise after school 3 days a week (part of my contract, I'm at a charter school). It is long, I agree! I leave my house at 5:45/6 and get back at 5:45/6, so it feels like I've worked a 12 hour shift sometimes 5 days a week, lol! But I love every second of it and I'm still relatively new to it. It is super overwhelming at first; I have spreadsheets galore and update paperwork/make phone calls/ etc. when students aren't in my office, which isn't often! School ends at 2 on Mondays for me, which is great because I have 2-4:30 to catch up on some of that with no interruptions.

I don't teach health (currently, at least, that might change). I don't often get a lunch break depending on the number of visits to my office, but I hand deliver medications due at lunch to take a break from my office (sign goes on the door that says I will be back in 20 minutes; staff knows how to find me if there is a real emergency). I, too, have to submit my immunization report by the end of October, so I know I have some time which helps.

Do the staff know when you teach? Can you instate a policy that you are to be reached/kids sent to your office only during a real emergency while you teach like 100kids has above? Most kids I see could definitely wait another 45 minutes and a list made by the secretary if staff forgets during your class time like 100kids mentions (sounds like some awesome staff there, 100kids!) would fit the bill.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Sep 25, 2013

September sucks with the paperwork, no doubt about it......but it will pass, on the last day of the month! LOL! You will get through. It took me a long time to really prioritize the mountains of paper.

1) My first concern is the Emergency Treatment form, chasing those so I have permission for treatment and OTCs (combined form).....As soon as they come in, I eyeball them, update the computer and file in my binder.

2) Then the immunizations as we have several kids who are immunocompromised

3) Then the emergency plans for epi pens, seizures etc

The the rest is putting out fires all over the place!!! all while seeing kids, calling parents for medication permission slips and on and on and on....

Good Luck!

It WILL get better!

jodil77 · Sep 26, 2013

I am in week two of my new school nurse position. I have 3 schools, with 3 different nurses teaching me 3 different ways to do the same job. It is VERY confusing!! I do love my schedule, but wish I wasn't so confused. I feel like a complete imbecile when it comes to the paperwork. How many copies do I need to make? Who gets a copy of what paperwork? What to do with diet orders? Where to document nurse's notes? What goes in their permanent folders? I just hate feeling incompetent...especially since one of the nurse's training me is my new boss.

SIGH....just frustrated right now. I know once I get the hang of it I'll be OK, but right now it's just a little overwhelming.

Stitchy's mom · Sep 26, 2013

And throw in those meetings that last forever, can ANYONE tell me why I have to be in meetings about Rubricks? I mean, I'm not grading kids or anything like that. If it was behavior issues, okay, but why should I go to a meeting where the teachers are talking about how to grade. I'm not a teacher (well, you know what I mean) I'm not giving a grade to anyone. If anyone could give me a reason. I'm only doing this because I thought that I would be nice and help out because they didn't have a nurse, but now I'm really regretting it. I stopped working when my son was born because I wanted him to know that there was 1 parent always there (hubby's job prevents him from being around a lot) now, my daughter feels like this job is interfering with her and she can't count on me because of this. Throw in that I feel like an idiot...

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Sep 26, 2013

I ask to not be included in those meetings and usually they are ok as long as I have a specific plan of what I am doing.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Sep 26, 2013

definitely agree - ask to tap out on those meetings so you can use that time productively to work on your own paperwork. If they can give you a compelling reason that you have to be included then you're stuck (beyond the BS of trying to build a team spirit - puhleaze - then get the team in your office when it's time to rally for your needs! - yeah right could you imagine!!)

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Sep 26, 2013

definitely agree - ask to tap out on those meetings so you can use that time productively to work on your own paperwork. If they can give you a compelling reason that you have to be included then you're stuck (beyond the BS of trying to build a team spirit - puhleaze - then get the team in your office when it's time to rally for your needs! - yeah right could you imagine!!)

Bwahaha!! You got that right!