It's been a little over a year....

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...since I started my SN job and I still feel like there are A LOT of things that I still don't know, mostly about the workings of a school. Like 504's and where I come into play with them, what requires an IHP and what doesn't, how involved am I supposed to be in regards to kids who are absent for illnesses, stuff like this among other things. When I started, I had no background in a school at all and the nurse who trained me focused on hearing, vision, and scoliosis screens and our immunization report. I'm pretty good at those! But nothing else was covered and I didn't know to ask about other things. It might be a little late in the game to still be confused on these roles, but I still am! Did you go to any official trainings when you started or was it just a "figure it out as you go" kind of thing?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

It was figure it out as you go for me...

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I was the school's first nurse. I had to develop the position, policies and procedures, all while figuring out what that meant, as my background was acute care. This forum, above all else, was my bedrock for information. Research all you can, read through these posts and don't be afraid to ask, lots of experience here. You will get an answer pretty quickly. I am in a private, no 504 or IEP, although I do have plans for my allergy and diabetic students.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice, School.

For me, it was a figure it out as you go.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

The 2016-2017 school year is my second year as a SN. Last year my charter school had just opened and they hired me 2 weeks after the school year had already started. They had nothing in place, not even an office for me. The administration has been amazingly supportive and have basically let me run the show here in terms of my job. I have 100% learned as I go along, have learned a LOT from this site and wish I knew of it last year when I started. I am lucky in that my school is really small. Last year we were just Kindergarten, this year K and 1st, next year K-2, etc. So as we grow slowly, I am learning more. Last year I was hung up on all the screenings, immunizations, etc. and finally realized that the health and safety of the students is my top priority and all that other stuff comes second. It has allowed me to relax more this year. There is always something to learn and I would love to attend some SN focused conferences, as well as get my SN certification (though not required for this job).

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

My state offers a new school nurse orientation every year. The kicker was the first session was 1 month in to the school year. Tha might be something to look in to in your state.

I was totally flying by the seat of my pants the first 6 months or so. The other nurses in my district kept telling me "Call with any questions!!" and I kept telling them "I don't even know what to ask!!" So created a school nurse handbook since my arrival. I found after the first year I started to get my groove. I still learn every day in this job, but I don't feel so lost anymore.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

It was figure it out as you go for me too, and honestly, I still sometimes feel like I'm lost :DI've been at this for 7 years and there is always something changing or something new popping up! Are you certified in school nursing? I learned a lot of information concerning 504s and IHP during my SN courses. My state (through the State Health Department) also offers an orientation for new school nurses, which I attended when I first got started. There was a ton of information presented there and I walked away with a huge binder full of resources and key points! It would be nice if you could find something like that in your area!

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Thanks for all of the input guys! Luckily, I'm not the FIRST nurse so there aren't very many things I'm having to implement. However, I do feel there are a few changes to policies that we should make, but I'll go that route once I get more comfortable with my role. My state does not require certification, however, I kind of wish they did for the whole purpose of helping new school nurses learn what they're responsible for. I suppose I could always look into certification even though its not required! I'd even be happy with an orientation to the job just so I learn some of the lingo of the school! Give me hospital lingo any day, and I got you! Give me school lingo and I'm gonna pretend I know what you're talking about and then I'll be Googling the mess out of some words! I'm the only nurse in my district, so I've reached out to a few nurses from other districts in our area and have found one that really helps.

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Give me hospital lingo any day, and I got you! Give me school lingo and I'm gonna pretend I know what you're talking about and then I'll be Googling the mess out of some words! I'm the only nurse in my district, so I've reached out to a few nurses from other districts in our area and have found one that really helps.

Right?! I swear my entire search history was made up of school terms that I didn't know; 504, IEP, IHP, ELA, ACT 80, ACT 48, RACK training, ALICE. Please give me CABG, CHF, ETOH, MSO4, HCTZ, LVAD-I understand those!

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Right?! I swear my entire search history was made up of school terms that I didn't know; 504, IEP, IHP, ELA, ACT 80, ACT 48, RACK training, ALICE. Please give me CABG, CHF, ETOH, MSO4, HCTZ, LVAD-I understand those!

Hahahahahaha YES!!!! :yes:

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In my 4th year, still feeling lost on a regular basis. Give me meds, T1D kids, asthma, injuries but some of the school specific paper work is crazy! I was called just this week about a report that I had no clue I had left info off for the past 3 years due to the wording of the request of information. I love this job until the CO people get involved, then I just want to run from the paper shufflers!

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

The last nurse left half way during the year, so she left me some things. They trained me on some things, but rest of it was learn as I go.

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