New School Nurse Question

[Jules0612]

I was hired as an elementary school nurse for the 2014-15 school year, I am so excited! I get the opportunity to go into the school's clinic and meet with the current nurse on Friday. I have been an ICU nurse for 20 years, so this is a huge change for me. What should I ask her? What would you look for?

[abc123RN]

How lucky you are to meet with the outgoing nurse! I just finished my first year and didn't get that chance to talk with the one I replaced. First thing I wanted to know was where the emergency supplies, epi pens are. Get a general over view of how she does things and the organization of the clinic. (you will change things to fit your work style as time goes along). The districts P&P needs to be close by, you will have tons of questions so that book and the phone numbers of other nurses in the school district are a must. (I kept those numbers out by my phone all year and used them often). Good Luck with your new job!! You will love being "THE NURSE"! (that was how the end of the year thank you cards and gifts where addressed to me, LOL!)

[JoAnnaSkewlRN, BSN, RN]

I echo the lucky nurse comment by marcy65. Most school nurses get very little training and school nursing is much different than any other kind of nursing. Find out who she "goes to" for nursing questions, administrative questions, and educator-type questions. Ask who the "supervisor" of your specific position is. Sometimes it's the principal, pupil personnel services person at the central office or a nursing supervisor. Ask her if there are any students she has to provide daily invasive care for ( feedings, catheter care, vent care, etc) and what is the format for creating care plans as well as procedures for Medicaid billing if your school district bills for nursing services and who was on her case load. Ask who are the go to parents for volunteers ( vision and hearing screening) and if she can show you any curriculum you are required to teach ( like family life.) Also ask about the clinic documentation- some schools are doing computerized, others are still pen and paper and still others do a combination of both (talk about triple documentation! LOL) Those are just a few things that I could think of. Others may have additional suggestions.

I also recommend finding out who out who the school health consultant is for your state. In, Virginia, we are blessed to have 2- one at the Department of education and one at the Department of Health and they are a wealth of knowledge. Also Join your state school nurse organization: you can find that information on the National Association of School Nurses website. The will offer local trainings and free or reduced cost continuing ed opportunities directly related to school nurses.

I absolutely love being a school nurse. I wish you luck in your new nursing adventure

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

Join your local School Nurses Association and NASN! I would ask the nurse how she organizes her day and her year (i.e. when to do screening, training, etc.). Ask if she has non-confidential computer files she's willing to share. I have a huge folder on my flash drive filled with references, school nursing information, care plan templates, and so on. Ask how to communicate with the teachers best (email or written notes) and copies of letters that she has sent home to parents. Good luck!