Looking for a school nurse "buddy"

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Hi everyone,

I recently accepted a job as a school nurse, and am now looking to see if anyone would like to exchange e-mails or private mail. I am very happy, but also very nervous, about this job as I have no experience with pediatrics, or even have children. The school RN and principal are aware of this and do not foresee a problem, but still...I thought it might be helpful to "hang out" with someone who has experience. I think I'm worrying myself too much because everything is unknown - I'm out of my "comfort zone"! :eek: I know the RN plans to spend some time with me, but it's not much - a day or so.

Thanks in advance,

mc3:paw:

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Specializes in School Nurse, Maternal Newborn.

Will you be working as a Health Office Aide? I hope that they are more supportive of you than it sounds. I would be willing to help you, as best I can. I can at least give you some basic information regarding procedures and perhaps some suggestions in managing certain types of problems that crop up. (head lice, when to call a parent, etc. ) :specs:

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No, I'm an LPN and my title is "school nurse". I took the P&P manual home with me over vacation. Don't officially start until mid-January. They did say they have a staff member appointed as a "back up" to me but they're not a nurse.

This is silly, I guess, but my biggest fear is what if something terrible happens and I won't know what to do! Yet I feel confident that I can certainly first aid, handle asthmatics, or if a child had an anaphylatic reaction.

What's the worst situation you ever encountered? Do the teachers, other staff, etc. also know how to handle the above situations, in case I'm not in the immediate area?

mc3:paw:

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Specializes in School Nurse, Maternal Newborn.

In my school, one of the most difficult things, and this is true, I believe for ALL school nurses, is the unavailability of the parent/guardian. So many parents, once the child is out their door, "disappear". Thus, you have to take that into account with decision making. Too many times, I have had to call 911 , needlessly, as I was unable to reach the parent in a decent amount of time, and the child needed medical attention. They were children that could have seen their family doctor, or urgent care, but if parents can't be contacted, there you are. Very frustrating. No phone numbers, many have numbers that are "out of minutes", many have no workplace, so you can't call there. :o

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Hi everyone,

I recently accepted a job as a school nurse, and am now looking to see if anyone would like to exchange e-mails or private mail. I am very happy, but also very nervous, about this job as I have no experience with pediatrics, or even have children. The school RN and principal are aware of this and do not foresee a problem, but still...I thought it might be helpful to "hang out" with someone who has experience. I think I'm worrying myself too much because everything is unknown - I'm out of my "comfort zone"! :eek: I know the RN plans to spend some time with me, but it's not much - a day or so.

Thanks in advance,

mc3:paw:

Is your supervisor a nurse? Are there other nurses in your district? If so, utilize them for your questions and concerns.

This is my second year as a brand new, full time school nurse. (I was a sub the year before I went full time) I still call my supervisor if a situation comes up that I am not sure what to do. And there are a few nurses in our district that have been there 15+ years, so I call or email them for advice.

What state are you in? I am in the state of Missouri. The Missouri Association of School Nurses (MASN) holds a new school nurse orientation conference once a year. I attended it this past fall and it was well worth it. Do a google search to find your state and local school nurse association. Their websites are helpful, also. I also went to the yearly MASN conference last spring. I also found that helpful.

I also subscribe to a school nurse magazine to keep up to date on issues, read the health department websites and joined any email lists that would help keep me informed.

You may be overwhelmed at first, but hang in there. It will get better. I still feel overwhelmed at times but I can already tell this year has been a little better than last year. Like anything, it takes time to learn the job.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Just want to add...post questions here on the school nurse forum and read up on the old threads if you have not already. We try to be an active forum and I have found a ton of help and support here over the years!

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Specializes in school RN, CNA Instructor, M/S.

I am a clinical supervisor for agency school nurses in NYC and you are more than welcome to ask me anything you need. you can PM me if you wish but as Purple Scrubs said This site has helped me so often that I would be lost on some issues. The fact that all these nurses and others who frequent this site together have amazingly varied experiences!!! I have learned so much from my peers!!!

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Thanks, everyone. I figured I'd just bore you all with my questions - that's why I was looking for a "buddy". However, you all seem to fit the bill!

As I said, it's not the little stuff, it's the unknown that's worrying me. I'm afraid when I won't know what to do when an unusual situation comes up, but I think it's just nerves (I hope) talking.

I did go back and read practically everything on this post, and it helped a great deal!

mc3:paw:

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Good luck to you starting this new job and being so passionate about doing well. Your RN should be just a phone call away. Good for you for reading up and getting prepared, and being so up front with what you are unsure of and do not know. It is a steep learning curve, but your attitude and desire to learn is going to be a huge asset. We are all rooting for you!!

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Thank you, Martha!!

:nurse:mc3

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