Looking to pick school nurses brains..

I've asked that your question be moved to the school nurse forum to better help you.

Thanks, I couldn't find that forum

It would depend a lot on your state nurse practice act. You might a want to call the school nurse association for the state you are in.

Most schools (all that I'm aware of) in my state have a physician of record to sign off on standing orders, consult for policies, etc. That being said, I've never seen any other involvement than signing things in the beginning of the year.

Ok. I'll do more research. It's probably gonna be a few years before the school is big enough to actually need to hire a nurse...by then I'll be done with school myself and I'm hoping to slide into the job.

I'm at a private school in Illinois. About 10 years ago there was no school nurse. The principal hired a BSN nurse who follows IDPH and IBSE guidelines. There wasn't much more to it than that. I'm nurse #3. I don't work under a doctor, but all orders I follow (medication, procedures, etc) are from student's physician's written orders. Once a year a local allergist signs our standing orders for stock Epinephrine. I would contact your state's Dept of Health and School Board of Education to see what is needed in your state.

I would be very surprised if a medical director was available. Most of us (public and parochial) work with standard policies and orders from an individual physician as appropriate. If you're offered a medical director, have him/her write some standing orders for Epi and albuterol...if you can.

NASN has a parochial nurse forum, by the way. You can join the discussion without joining NASN, I believe.

I started the school nurse position at our private school. Basically in Maryland, the health department oversees the schools, both public and private. PM me about specifics, including protocols, OTC medications, and epi pens. I can walk you through the specifics.

Hell, some states even let CMAs like me work at a school like a school nurse. I would check requirements at job postings as well look at your state's requirements.

Yes I am in Texas and only have my CNA and have been a school nurse for 2 years