New School Nurse, need some advice on what daily activities yall do?

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Hi, I'm a new school nurse who recently got hired for the second semester of the school year. I am just wondering what you do on a daily basis? So far, since I started, I've only gotten 3 students total who have paid me a visit. Nothing too serious. My job is pretty much basic first aid and CPR. I'd just like to know what I should get done right away, how to decorate my office, what things I should look at, you know? I'd like to be a great school nurse and I just feel lost right now. Also, when I came into my office, there was NOTHING in here.. maybe a few bandaids, Tylenol, eye wash, and tums so I already put in my order for things I may need. Give me some good ideas to add some color to my dull office :) plus I'd like to meet some new friends who are also school nurses! :nurse:

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Welcome!

I would advise you to read through our posts. Yes, we get off topic sometimes, murder lice, wear undergarments as outer garments and bully each other... but we also support each other and help each other out.

I'm a new school nurse as well- this is my second year in, and I would be floundering without the folks here.

As far as your situation now- do you have a senior nurse in your district you can contact for support? To see what you specifically need for your school district, protocols, etc.?

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Welcome! I'm glad you found us!

This is my 2nd full year as a school nurse and I've learned so much from the school nurses here in this forum and gotten some great ideas here. There is some loneliness with school nursing as you're often the only medical person in the building. My work friends are here!

What grade levels do you have and how big is your school? You'll find that you do take care of lots of small things like bandaids and ice packs but do prepare yourself for big emergencies, too. Run the school day through your mind and imagine what possible things could happen to staff and kids throughout that time. Because it all will happen! Do you have diabetic students? Epileptic students? Asthma? Bone up on all chronic conditions that exist in your building and their treatments/symptoms. Be ready to treat emergencies and know your first aid.

What is your plan for anaphylactic reaction? Fractures (open and closed)? Seizures? Concussions? Stroke? MI? These are the things right off the top of my head that have happened in my short time here.

Most days are calm and easy but there's always that one crazy day where YOU are the only medical personnel in the building and all eyes are on YOU to call the shots and make the decisions.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

My suggestion for decor is plain painted walls, with no photos, posters, or decorations. This is how my clinic is and I'm never outdated. :)

Correction I do have one photo of a head louse, magnified by a zillion times, on my cabinet, just to spark conversation with the staff.

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I work in the high school. Average student population runs about 600 students. Our senior school nurse ran through everything that I typically need so quickly.. I vivdly remember a few things like the documents that need to be filled out in case of an accident. What about your assessments? what do you usually do when a student comes in? I'm a CNA, so I have and know my boundaries. I'm so excited!!

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My suggestion for decor is plain painted walls, with no photos, posters, or decorations. This is how my clinic is and I'm never outdated. :)

Correction I do have one photo of a head louse, magnified by a zillion times, on my cabinet, just to spark conversation with the staff.

Would you like to suggest appropriate work wear to her as well, OldDude?

I have a BIG poster of Albert Einstein with his tongue out right over my desk. Right next to that is a pic of a beautiful young girl that says: Treat Your Body Like it Belongs to Someone You Love.

I also have the drugs are bad posters, don't drink and drive posters, weight loss/ weight gain body image posters, and drawings and cards from the special ed. kids.

Bla bla bla, yadda yadda.

I like clutter.

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I work in the high school. Average student population runs about 600 students. Our senior school nurse ran through everything that I typically need so quickly.. I vivdly remember a few things like the documents that need to be filled out in case of an accident. What about your assessments? what do you usually do when a student comes in? I'm a CNA, so I have and know my boundaries. I'm so excited!!

I would check with the RN in the district on your scope of practice. At the HS level, lots of the kids are SA with their meds.

Check to see what you can do as far as diabetics, etc.

Here in NY you are considered a school health aide, not a nurse (as a CNA you cannot call yourself a nurse.)

Best of luck in your new position!

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Perhaps Nurse Barb G can help explain an ordinary day. :yes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Would you like to suggest appropriate work wear to her as well OldDude?

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I don't want to overwhelm her with information. I would be available for that, however.

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Would you like to suggest appropriate work wear to her as well, OldDude?

Duh. On Wednesdays we wear pink.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Perhaps Nurse Barb G can help explain an ordinary day. :yes:

Excellent resource.

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I don't want to overwhelm her with information. I would be available for that, however.

:cheeky:

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