Medical Assistant as school nurse

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2016

Be aware of your scope of practice and stay within the lines.

That said, review ages and stages of child development to get some insight into pressures and motivators for teens and adolescents. If therapeutic communication is within your scope of practice this could help. Of course, review common meds and reactions for your population.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Feb 11, 2016

Good afternoon all,
I am a Certified Medical Assistant who is currently being working as the school nurse at a charter school for 6th-12th grade. I just started this position a few months ago. The previous 'School nurse' was not at all experienced in the medical field and I feel a bit overwhelmed at times because I do not have prior training in this area. I was thrown to the lions. The kids are thankfully well behaved but it can still be frustrating some times. I would appreciate any pointers or tips on anything really.
Thank you and have a wonderful evening!

See, your post title has me shaking my head

"Someone" is referring to you as the nurse.

No. Can. Do.

Bumex, DNP, NP · Feb 11, 2016

It is illegal to even state that you are "working as the school nurse." Some states such claims can lead to jail time.

kidzcare · Feb 11, 2016

Looks like you have checked into the legalities! As others have said, just be sure that you are not accidentally misrepresenting your title or allowing other staff to misrepresent you. I hope you enjoy your new position with the kiddos!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Feb 11, 2016

Spend some time perusing this site, wealth of knowledge here.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Feb 11, 2016

It is illegal to even state that you are "working as the school nurse." Some states such claims can lead to jail time.

The only time this may lead to jail time is when someone accepts a position specifically requiring a nursing licence and knowingly misrepresents that fact. That is not the case here.

allnurses Guide · Feb 12, 2016

Good afternoon all,
I am a Certified Medical Assistant who is currently being working as the school nurse at a charter school for 6th-12th grade. I just started this position a few months ago. The previous 'School nurse' was not at all experienced in the medical field and I feel a bit overwhelmed at times because I do not have prior training in this area. I was thrown to the lions. The kids are thankfully well behaved but it can still be frustrating some times. I would appreciate any pointers or tips on anything really.
Thank you and have a wonderful evening!

I didn't realize that schools did that.

Why did you use quotes around "school nurse" when talking about the previous employee and not yourself? I think that's where some concern lies wit the people reading the post.

Farawyn · Feb 12, 2016

I didn't realize that schools did that.
Why did you use quotes around "school nurse" when talking about the previous employee and not yourself? I think that's where some concern lies wit the people reading the post.

I read it as the person who worked OP's job prior to her was not an actual nurse, either.

tsm007 · Feb 12, 2016

In many, many states any layperson can be trained (or checked off) to administer medications (including insulin) as well as do many procedures (just like a parent is trained). This is the case in Texas, sadly.
Just be care the staff/students/parents don't call you the 'nurse'. Don't open the door for that misunderstanding! Many principles will hire a clerk or MA, stick them in the clinic and allow parents to believe there is a licensed nurse on staff (to save money). It's illegal to misrepresent yourself, and make it a priority to not allow anyone on staff to call you the school 'nurse'. They will do it without even realizing it and as innocent as it is it can cause a legal mess for the school if even one parent thinks there is a nurse on campus and finds out through a bad accident/incident that isn't the case.

We don't even have a school nurse in our school district and the one nearby has one for the entire school district. I know this as a parent of an insulin diabetic child it was a royal pain in the rear until my son went on a pump.

Windchaser22 · Feb 12, 2016

We don't even have a school nurse in our school district and the one nearby has one for the entire school district. I know this as a parent of an insulin diabetic child it was a royal pain in the rear until my son went on a pump.

This is why we have to fight for a registered nurse in every school.

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 12, 2016

Good afternoon all,
I am a Certified Medical Assistant who is currently being working as the school nurse at a charter school for 6th-12th grade. I just started this position a few months ago. The previous 'School nurse' was not at all experienced in the medical field and I feel a bit overwhelmed at times because I do not have prior training in this area. I was thrown to the lions. The kids are thankfully well behaved but it can still be frustrating some times. I would appreciate any pointers or tips on anything really.
Thank you and have a wonderful evening!

You are not working as a school nurse because you are not a nurse. You should not be presenting yourself as something you are not.

Sigh...

smileitout · Feb 12, 2016

You are not working as a school nurse because you are not a nurse. You should not be presenting yourself as something you are not.
Sigh...

I'm sorry. I put in in quotes in the paragraph. I do not present myself as the nurse when speaking to others. I do let parents, staff, and students know that I am a medical assistant not a nurse.