Movin' on Up...

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Specializes in school nurse.

Hi, all.

I'm switching next week from the wee ones (K-5) to the district's alternative high school. I gotta switch my mindset from lice and poopie pants to the "birds and the bees and STDs". (What can I say, it rhymed...) Anyone know of any good adolescent health primers I can start reading?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

You are out of your mind

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Specializes in school nurse.
You are out of your mind

I was in my mind once. Very overrated, I must say...

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Specializes in school nurse.
You're brave. This is a nice base:

https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/center-for-adolescent-health/_includes/_pre-redesign/Interactive%20Guide.pdf

And this is a pretty decent resource:

Fast Facts on Adolescent Health for Nursing and Health Professionals A Care Guide in a Nutshell-97882617145|Springer Publishing Company

I would make friends with the school guidance counselor and use him/her frequently

Good luck!! I have to say, when I was getting my NP, I did really enjoy my rotation through the High School. Most of the kids were really great. I think the challenge is the complexity of their issues and complaints. It is definitely a special population and if you are good at working with them, they open up and trust you. Have a great year.

Thanks for the recommendations!

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Specializes in School nursing.

Welcome to the dark side so many of us love!

I actually love this site: Information about health, growth, and emotions for teens: TeensHealth.org. It presents health info directly to teens, but gives you a good feel what what they are going through and what questions they have about their health and bodies.

Mental health review is a must; I work so closely with our school counselor and yours may have some great information to share/recommend.

When you say alternative high school - what does that entail exactly? I also teach sex education at my school and happy to chat about that topic and navigating it.

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Specializes in school nurse.
Welcome to the dark side so many of us love!

I actually love this site: Information about health, growth, and emotions for teens: TeensHealth.org. It presents health info directly to teens, but gives you a good feel what what they are going through and what questions they have about their health and bodies.

Mental health review is a must; I work so closely with our school counselor and yours may have some great information to share/recommend.

When you say alternative high school - what does that entail exactly? I also teach sex education at my school and happy to chat about that topic and navigating it.

Alternative in this case means that it's a small, carve-out program in a different building for kids that are having trouble making it in the "big" high school. Smaller classes, different approaches, etc...

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Don't listen to the naysayers, Jed. This is the best part of school nursing. You still get to deal with all the illnesses, but you get to teach, you get to support, you get to advocate on a whole new level.

I wouldn't work anyone else.

Touch base with guidance, social work, psych and the AP who is in charge of discipline right away.

Also, if a kid is lying down, I take their cell phones.:cheeky:

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Specializes in School nursing.
Don't listen to the naysayers, Jed. This is the best part of school nursing. You still get to deal with all the illnesses, but you get to teach, you get to support, you get to advocate on a whole new level.

I wouldn't work anyone else.

Touch base with guidance, social work, psych and the AP who is in charge of discipline right away.

Also, if a kid is lying down, I take their cell phones.:cheeky:

Oh yes, cell phones. You will have kids that don't like that you don't send them home. They will text their parents to pick them up. Even at my school where cell phone are forbidden, they do it in the bathroom. Luckily, our dean of discipline is awesome. Make yours your good friend and life is good ;).

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Specializes in kids.

I love my highschoolers! Well most of them, most days!!

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