New School Nurse Advice

[BrofessionalMurse]

Hello Nurses,

I'm posting this in search of advice from seasoned school nurses. I recently took a job as a JR/SR high school nurse at an underperforming school district with a low compliance rate in PA. Trying to fillful the PA state requirements for grades 7-12. School has not had a steady nurse in years so records are outdated. Lots of records are missing. Very unorganized situation that I'm trying to help repair as a first time school nurse. Any advice on best practices to fulfill the state requirements. How to organize these tasks. How to track. Possibly how to reach out for outside help. Need heights, weights, vision, hearing, physicals, dental, scoliosis, and updated vaccine requirements for specific grades. All advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

[Cattz, ADN]

OK- take a lonnnng deep breath.

For starters- if you haven't already- look at and get familiar with all the state guidelines and manuals. Print them so you can have easy access to them. Make contact with your State School Nurse Consultant. Let her know your situation and ask for guidance. 

How many students do you have? 

Do you have many students with chronic health issues? I would try to figure that out and see what Emergency plans are needed and get the info to the teachers that "need to know". 

I would then prioritize getting immunizations in order. Take one grade at at time. Do you have a Student Records System? If so, you can probably print a report that shows all the students that are not in compliance. If this isn't possible, talk to your State Immunization people. Ask for them to come and do an audit of the immunizations- this will show that you are serious about wanting to "right the ship". I did this at my very first school nurse job- there hadn't been a nurse before and the immunizations were a mess.

Screenings are so important- but you can't do everything at once. 

Deeeep breath again-

Big hugs to you for being a Champion for kids. You've got this-

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