Multiple schools

[Pcherry001]

I’m thinking of applying for a school nurse position that covers 5 schools. How does that even work? I know next to nothing about being a school nurse. Are there any resources you can suggest that would be helpful? Thanks

[Cattz, ADN]

I have covered 4 different rural schools- 5 buildings. It can work very nicely, as I have been so fortunate. It takes A LOT of training and thinking 10 steps ahead for the 'what ifs".

How many students are in each building? Who will be taking care of kids' basics when you are not in a building?

[jess11RN]

Here's my issue with overseeing a health aid, CNA, LPN, or anything other than a Registered Nurse in each health office: they are working under your license, therefore, you as the registered nurse are still professionally responsible for anything they do. If they mess up, you are still called in to defend what went wrong and what you could have done to prevent it.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, jess11RN said:

Here's my issue with overseeing a health aid, CNA, LPN, or anything other than a Registered Nurse in each health office: they are working under your license, therefore, you as the registered nurse are still professionally responsible for anything they do. If they mess up, you are still called in to defend what went wrong and what you could have done to prevent it.

The LPN works under his/her own license, tho....CNA and lay people get delegated tasks. We are responsible for their training and to ensure competency (which I think means return demonstration). I was told by a nursing manager (who's since "left to pursue other opportunities" that I had to sign off on teaching an unlicensed aide diastat admin and trach care. I declined and documented that we "discussed the steps and the procedure" but there's no way I wanted to provide that training (just because we can doesn't mean we should).

[MountainNurseTammy, BSN, RN]

I would like to offer a different perspective than RUN and DON'T DO IT. I don't think anyone can completely know the situation without being there. In Colorado, we are all itinerant nurses covering multiple schools in each district. We have systems, protocols and support and it works well. I'm not saying it isn't hard, because it is, but it is also super rewarding and is always new and different. If you are organized, love to teach and train and are there for the kids, its great. That being said you are there mainly for assessments, IEP/504 meetings, screenings etc. but man the kids need good quality nurses who can advocate for them. You are teaching medication administration, writing health care plans and making sure kids have what they need in a place where (for whatever reason) they cannot have a nurse in each building. If you train well and are a good communicator it can be a satisfying and rewarding job.

[jess11RN]

16 hours ago, ruby_jane said:

The LPN works under his/her own license

Actually, now that you say that, I think you're right. My bad! ?