New to High school Nursing

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Nov 7, 2016

I work in a PreK-12 school, so I do have high school aged kids, but we are well staffed with counselors and have involved admins, so I usually only see them for their health issues. Get a lot of tired kids who play sick to go home. Or they will text their parents all morning about how sick they are, until parent calls me to see if their kiddo is sick when I haven't even seen them! LOL lots of fun those teenagers!
As for working, I chose to only work PRN in the summer. I have 3 school aged kids, and their activities usually take up the bulk of my time off. And thats a big reason I took a school nurse job in the first place - to be able to attend all their things.
Welcome and good luck! Keep posting!

Thank you so much! Maybe that's what I'll do. Possibly go back PRN in the summer so that I am able to focus on school nursing. I know it's definitely going to be different. Totally different. Anything you suggest I can read up on? Books to buy. Do y'all carry an emergency bag with you? What do you have in it, if so?

OldDude · Nov 7, 2016

Thank you so much! Maybe that's what I'll do. Possibly go back PRN in the summer so that I am able to focus on school nursing. I know it's definitely going to be different. Totally different. Anything you suggest I can read up on? Books to buy. Do y'all carry an emergency bag with you? What do you have in it, if so?

You can get a lot of helpful insight from Nurse Barb G...you tube.

Eleven011 · Nov 7, 2016

I have an emergency bag that I put together myself with stuff I had in the office. Nothing fancy - a cheap backpack - with bandages, gauze, ace wraps, abd's, tape, sterile flushes, pens/paper, b/p cuff, etc. I use it when there are fire/tornado drills and when I get called off site (we have a gym and shop/ag classroom in a building that isn't connected to us).

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Nov 7, 2016

Welcome! I'm also new this year to school nursing (elementary and middle school) and also left a NICU position. There are few of us former NICU nurses here!

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Nov 7, 2016

I will try my best to forge an alliance. Do either of you work prn at the hospital while working at the school full time?

I am in the process of signing with a staffing agency to work in my old NICU as a local travel nurse. When I quit the hospital they weren't letting anyone go casual or per diem so this was my only option. I wasn't sure I was going to pick up shifts but after a couple of months of school nursing I did find that I missed the hands on, nurse-y work. I also miss having other nurse/medical people to talk to because in the schools I am it for medical personnel. It can be lonely sometimes but the schedule rocks!

ohiobobcat · Nov 7, 2016

I am a high school nurse. Stock up on tampons/pads, review immunization policies for your state. Be ready to see kids with lots of anxiety, and lots of mental health stuff going on (cutting, SI, angry teenagers who like to punch things and get boxer's fractures). Know who to refer to in your school. Make friends with the janitors and secretaries.

I have a "jump bag" that I keep stuff I might need with me if I get called out of my office for an emergency. Splints, BP cuff, ace wraps, gauze, burn pads, stethoscope, glucose tabs, epi-pen, stock albuterol inhaler, pen light, note pad/pen, aspirin (for adults with MI symptoms only), pulse oximeter, disposable ice packs etc. Kind of like a mega first aid kit.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2016

New York Statewide School Health Services Center

Best website for school Nurses. It is for NY but has a lot of wonderful information! Good luck in your new position!

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Nov 7, 2016

I am in the process of signing with a staffing agency to work in my old NICU as a local travel nurse. When I quit the hospital they weren't letting anyone go casual or per diem so this was my only option. I wasn't sure I was going to pick up shifts but after a couple of months of school nursing I did find that I missed the hands on, nurse-y work. I also miss having other nurse/medical people to talk to because in the schools I am it for medical personnel. It can be lonely sometimes but the schedule rocks!

Oh my gosh this is so awesome to hear! Right now I'm wondering if I should just try and stay prn there are no guarantees the position will open up, but should I even consider it. Or, I'm like, hmmmmm do I just try and focus on the school nursing so I'm not feeling overwhelmed?! Ugh the struggle

SaltineQueen · Nov 7, 2016

Will you be the only nurse in the school?

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Nov 7, 2016

Will you be the only nurse in the school?

Yes ma'am. Why? :nailbiting:

HazelLPN, LPN · Nov 7, 2016

Hello everyone! New here at Allnurses. Hope all is well with everyone. Looking for some tips or help as I am about to begin my first school nursing job at a high school. Coming with nothing but NICU background. Any information will be greatly appreciated! Look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

I did NICU myself before I retired and then spent my final years in nursing as a substitute assistant school nurse.

Many school nurses in my district it seems are former critical care and ER nurses.

Your NICU experience will be great for the amount of OB that you do. I had several kiddos that I took care of in the NICU as students that I took care of...one of which was one of the sickest babies I ever had....a meconium aspiration who ended up on ECMO and then a terrible surgical wound infection and probably spent 4 months in the hospital. 15 years later, she had asthma and anger management problems but did better than anyone thought she would.

Best wishes to you on your new and rewarding career....you'll do great!

Mrs. H.

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Nov 8, 2016

I did NICU myself before I retired and then spent my final years in nursing as a substitute assistant school nurse.
Many school nurses in my district it seems are former critical care and ER nurses.
Your NICU experience will be great for the amount of OB that you do. I had several kiddos that I took care of in the NICU as students that I took care of...one of which was one of the sickest babies I ever had....a meconium aspiration who ended up on ECMO and then a terrible surgical wound infection and probably spent 4 months in the hospital. 15 years later, she had asthma and anger management problems but did better than anyone thought she would.
Best wishes to you on your new and rewarding career....you'll do great!
Mrs. H.

Mrs. H,

Thank you so much for your wonderful wishes and words! I'm excited and looking forward to it!