New School Nurse as LVN

Specialties School

Published

Hi all! I just got my first job as an elementary school nurse and I've got to say I'm very nervous and excited. As a new grad nurse (LVN), I feel like I've learned everything there is to know. I've worked in the hospital for four years as a CPT and Lab assistant. However, I know working as a school nurse will be very different. I never thought my first nurse job would be as a school nurse but here I am! If there are any school nurses out there that can give me some advice or share your learning experiences as a school nurse that would be great. 

*Please be respectful I am here looking for support and good advice that I can apply to my new job*

Thank you!

Specializes in LPN School Nurse.

Welcome Jen,

I know how you feel.   I went from doing lots of pediatric home calls to finding a school job.    Boy, I wasn't prepared for any of this.   Not being an RN, I couldn't get the job as the main nurse, but they would hire me as the discipline office nurse which is not anything like I expected, but rewarding.

 

Specializes in kids.
CaliNurseJen said:

 I feel like I've learned everything there is to know. I've worked in the hospital for four years as a CPT and Lab assistant.

Respectfully, I think the learning curve is going to be much bigger than you might imagine. We do not know, what we do not know. Please keep your mind open and learn from your colleagues who have some experience.

I had my BSN and 11 years under my belt before I started my job and the curve was pretty intense. I encourage you to join your state association and NASN for the support it will give you.

Best of luck and stay dialed into this page. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge and support here.

2 Votes
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

Welcome! School nursing is completely different from bedside, and while you may be able to pull some skills from your experience there, when the majority of your communication is with a "little", you will find you need to change a lot of your practice to be able to relate to them, understand them, and help them! For example, any pain on their torso is likely a "belly ache" and so you have to ask simple but effective questions that are not leading in order to aid your assessment. Additionally, you don't have nearly as much help as you would in a hospital! If a kid goes downhill, it's all you until the paramedics arrive.

Also, learn to work with the staff in your building. They will try to push your limits in a lot of ways... so don't let them walk all over you and don't back down if you feel your call was the right one. Remember, you are the medical professional, not them.

Beyond that, there are many many other posts asking your same questions! Do a quick search of this sub or scroll through the pages. Even just keeping a close eye on the new posts and updates will help you along in your journey!

Good luck!

2 Votes
Specializes in School Nursing.

I have been a school nurse for the last 19 years of my 38 years of being a nurse. With all due respect, as a new grad LPN, you don't know everything there is to know. I know when I was a graduate RN, I definitely did not know half of what I thought I knew. 

You are the only medical professional in the building. If there is an emergency, there is no help until the paramedics arrive. You are on your own and have to make split second decisions that must come from experience, and being able to multitask while dealing with the emergency. Teachers and administrators will try and get you to do things that aren't exactly safe, or legal. Always protect your license. I have no problem saying no when I am asked to do something that they want me to do that I know is wrong or unsafe. I have had many an argument with my administrator over not accepting unsigned MD orders, sending student's home during COVID, and maintaining the student's isolation . Utilize this forum for advice, concerns, anything. Everyone is super helpful and supportive. You are welcome to reach out to me if you need any advice. I have mentored many a new nurse in my division. Best of luck! 

2 Votes
Specializes in oncology.
beachynurse said:

You are the only medical professional in the building.

You are the only health care professional. Rethinking your title will help you refine your job. You are not practicing medicine. 

Specializes in School Nursing.
londonflo said:

You are the only health care professional. Rethinking your title will help you refine your job. You are not practicing medicine. 

Thank you for your attempt to correct londonflo. Our school division refers to us as medical professionals. We are well aware that we are not practicing medicine, and that we are nurses. Remember, each state, and school division may choose to use different terminology. 

1 Votes
Specializes in oncology.
beachynurse said:

Thank you for your attempt to correct londonflo

I appreciate your comment but have you thought about challenging your school division terminology? Do you teach health courses or do the PE faculty do this? 

Nursing will never get the identity they deserve until the full scope of our practice is acknowledged.

When in meetings, and they call on you, do you say my health professional report shows our 'health report" of absences at _____ percent, vaccination rates at _____  percent etc. Brochures sent home and bulletin boards put up to stress the importance of Covid vaccination. Bulletin boards put up and brochures disseminated on https://health.gov/healthypeople.

YOU are in a position to relate that your position does more than medical. You are in the health of your student population. 

I read and know you have a lot on your plate.  Let's delineate and celebrate the role of the school nurse, a health care professional.

I am not trying to be mean, stern, whatever....but if we all identify as health care professionals with an RN license; we will not be seen as just dealing as an ground level position to a /parent/medical professional pulling the strings. 

Specializes in School Nursing.

I do not teach health classes, the PE department does. I am in a school division with over 100 schools, and 154 Nurses and assistants. I am not going to take the time I do not have in order to go before a hostile School Board that is trying to lose the RN's as school nurses and go to LPN's. They were not supportive of us during COVID, and didn't care when we lost 27 nurses and assistants at one time because of their lack of support. The last nurse that challenged anything, no longer works for the division, and I am too close to retirement to lose my job. But, if you have the time... go for it

3 Votes
Specializes in oncology.

Okay I am done with my critique but best wishes on your retirement 

Specializes in School Nursing.
londonflo said:

Okay I am done with my critique but best wishes on your retirement 

Thank goodness you're done. I don't recall asking you for an opinion or advice. 

1 Votes
Specializes in oncology.

see next post

+ Add a Comment