New Grad and New School Nurse...Feeling lost!

100kids, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2012

I just started School Nursing last year. It takes a little bit to feel settled. For the parents who are not sending in med authorization forms I would call and send a letter home letting them know that until you receive it you cannot give their child their medicine and will need to call them when Johnny (or whomever) needs it so that they can come and administer it. I personally would speak to my principal first and let her know I was doing this so you know she's behind you. In my school she would absolutely back me up on this.

As far as decorating I was at a loss my first year and had some boring health pisters up. This year I had my neices and nephews each paint a canvas I bought for them and I hung them all up in my room. I LOVE it and everyone comments on them. If you don't have nieces/nephews/friends with young kids maybe you could ask some of the kids to draw you pictures to hang up. I also have a bulletin boards in my room that I decorated with a health theme. Seasonal decorations also help brighten up plain white walls.

Hope that helps. I remember feeling totally overwhelmed but I love this job and don't see myslef anywhere else ever. Have fun and enjoy the kids!

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2012

School nursing is tough and being a new nurse you have a lot to learn. One of the most important things you need to do is set up a network of other school nurses in your district or surrounding districts. You absolutely need to have other nurses to bounce things off of. As for not getting what you need from parents, document your attempts and keep trying....unfortunately, you won't have great success with this. My favorite website for School nurses is www.schoolhealthservicesny.com it has been a lifesaver for me many times. Try looking on line for free posters, you should be able to decorate your office at no cost. Look around the internet, I got at least 20 posters free including ones on hand washing and nutrition. This website is also a wealth of information.....best of luck...you will love it :)

Disneygirl23 · Sep 7, 2012

100Kids- I love the decorating ideas! I have a few children that love to come visit me in the mornings so maybe Ill ask them to help me decorate!!

Bsyrn- Thank you for the website! I will try to look around on it today. I think its just a harder time with the parents because the school has never had a nurse and I think things were a little more relaxed before but I have a license that I dont want to jeoprodize. I will try to find some posters to order. Havent had much luck yet

ro2878, ADN, BSN · Sep 8, 2012

I am also a new grad and started 2 weeks ago at a school that also never had a school nurse. It has been tough getting parents, teachers, and administration on the "same page." Just to be safe be sure and get yourself some malpractice insurance! It is not expensive.

Like you, I had one big empty room with blank walls. I went to one of the teacher supply stores and bought cool jungle animal posters with sayings like "Exercise" or "Eat Right." You can find tons of bulletin board stuff, hygiene posters, and hand washing posters at the teacher supply store and they are very cute and not very expensive. Be sure and laminate your posters because it will keep them in much better condition. I also have each kiddo that comes in draw me a picture while they are waiting for mom or dad to come get them. I am using them to fill up one of my bulletin boards that is titled "Nurse Superstars. You can stand up books on your bookshelf (if you have one) or use little stuffed animals or beanie babies for decoration. My kiddos are preschoolers so they love this kind of stuff!

BTW, I also use that website that bsyrn posted - it is has tons of great info.

Best of luck to you!!