LPN as School Nurse?

[aetienn6]

So I was recently hired as the school nurse for a k-12 special needs school. I am an LPN who has been practicing for 3 years. The school I will be working for has never had a school nurse before and told me they basically just need someone for "medications and boo boos" so as to decrease the heavy workload and remove liability from the staff ( who is not medically trained). School health would be a completely new field for me and as such I have been trying to do as much research as possible on the responsibilities I may have and what I should be prepared for. I am finding there is a lot more to being a school nurse than medications and boo boos such as formulating care plans, giving health screenings, making referrals to outside agencies and practitioners etc.

None of these things were part of what the school said they needed me for but many of them are listed under state statutes and as part of the county's School Health Plan as responsibilities for school nurses. So my question is twofold to anyone who can answer, Do I a.) Forget all of these things I am reading online and stick to the responsibilities given to me by the school, focus less on the title ; or b.) Bring this up with the director of the school and possibly Department of Health as to whether or not I am able to hold this position and if the responsibilities I am reading of online are required and must be completed by an RN.

Any light offered in this realm would be a great help as I am slightly worried about if I am qualified for this position. I will be posting this same question in the "Florida" category and in the "School Health" category to see if I can get as much help as possible.

[aetienn6]

So I was recently hired as the school nurse for a k-12 special needs school. I am an LPN who has been practicing for 3 years. The school I will be working for has never had a school nurse before and told me they basically just need someone for "medications and boo boos" so as to decrease the heavy workload and remove liability from the staff ( who is not medically trained). School health would be a completely new field for me and as such I have been trying to do as much research as possible on the responsibilities I may have and what I should be prepared for. I am finding there is a lot more to being a school nurse than medications and boo boos such as formulating care plans, giving health screenings, making referrals to outside agencies and practitioners etc.

None of these things were part of what the school said they needed me for but many of them are listed under state statutes and as part of the county's School Health Plan as responsibilities for school nurses. So my question is twofold to anyone who can answer, Do I a.) Forget all of these things I am reading online and stick to the responsibilities given to me by the school, focus less on the title ; or b.) Bring this up with the director of the school and possibly Department of Health as to whether or not I am able to hold this position and if the responsibilities I am reading of online are required and must be completed by an RN.

Any light offered in this realm would be a great help as I am slightly worried about if I am qualified for this position. I am hoping some of you school nurses will be able to help me and give me some insight on this issue and about the job you currently do if possible. I will be posting this same question in the "Florida" category and in the "LPN corner" category to see if I can get as much help as possible.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Most states require school nurses to be an RN, often RN/BSN with school nurse certification obtained within a specified time (post grad certification). This is because of the assessment and screenings required must be initiated by an RN per scope of practice. Some states permit LPNs to manage a health office with offsite RN oversight. Other states restrict the title of school nurse to RNs. LPNs can hold the job title of health officer, health care assistant.

Unless this is a private special school that is exempt from BoN/DoE/health department mandates (and some private & secular schools are exempt ) you are correct to be concerned. Do you have a written job description?

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

In Indiana, LPNs are commonly school nurses for k-8; and then RNs for 9-12. If there is an explicit law saying you can't be a school nurse then that's your call. Sadly, this might be a bit of a sticky situation for you. Definitely talk to the higher ups.

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

Do you have a copy of your job description from when you are hired? If you feel you are taking on the duties of a RN you most definitely need to take this to your supervisor. If they don't do anything, go higher up the chain. Keep going until you get answers. Do not ignore this. This is your license and if you feel you are working beyond the scope of this you are liable not your boss.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

multiple threads merged as per the terms of Service.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I looked at the FL school health website, it states that those services (basic health) must be administered/ supervised by an RN. Technically LPN's require direct or indirect oversight by an RN, MD, DDS, DMD, or DO. It doesn't state whether private schools must provide the same services as a public school. But most private special ed schools that receive public school students often must follow the same mandates as public school.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I know in my state you must be an RN to have the title School Nurse and some of the things you mentioned are required to be done by an RN or under the supervision of an RN. I would say definitely check your State's Dept of Education site and even call your state School Nurse Association for guidance.

Good Luck!

[aetienn6]

Unfortunately I do not have a written job description. They do have never had a school nurse teachers and the principal are who have been administering medications and taking care of any incidents occurring with the students. This is a Charter school so I am unsure which rules apply. I brought up an initial concern during the interview during which I was verbally told that most of my work duties would be administering medications and providing basic level care for students who may feel sick or attain a small injury during school hours. I already told them I cannot under my license "manage" the care of the students and that I would be very limited in what I can do under my current license and they said they were fine with that. I think I will contact DOE for my county to make sure I am allowed to hold the title as long as my daily duties are within my scope of practice. Thank you all for your comments.