Published Sep 24, 2015
MrNurse(x2), ADN
2,558 Posts
Last March I started working at my kids' school as the nurse. This is a small (125 student) private school which never had a nurse before. I am stumbling to learn the ropes and set up a program, which I love the challenge of. I come from 28 year background of critical care (which I continue on the weekends).Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks.
CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN
250 Posts
You're certainly in the right place. Welcome! Using the search feature here will come in handy if you have a specific question. Otherwise, there are amazing people to help you. I have learned a great deal here.
Thanks, I have lurked here since March, great resource.
OldDude
1 Article; 4,787 Posts
Don't try and reinvent the wheel but tailor your program toward student health on top of the pyramid. Identify individual health needs and provide appropriate training to staff - food allergies for instance. I'm sure there are a lot of resources specific to your state to model criteria for sending kids home, what screenings are state mandated, immunization requirements, etc. Your critical thinking skills and nursing abilities are well developed based on your experience so that's not an issue.....just always return to student health and safety as the number one priority. Welcome to the "club."
NanaPoo
762 Posts
Congrats!
I'm in a private school also but, thankfully, had a clinic all set up and going when I showed up.
We use the resources of a local and very large pediatric hospital that provides guidance and tons of forms/documents for school health clinics. We certainly aren't required to use their forms but it's a great place to look when I'm thinking "hey, I need a procedure in place for ___________ or I'd sure like a form for ___________." I just look in my two humongous manuals and usually they've already done the work for me.
I print their most up-to-date manual every 3 years but they also have an online version which I keep bookmarked:
http://www.choa.org/Health-Professionals/Nursing-Program/Nurse-Resources/School-Nurses/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/2013-School-Health-Manual/Manual-Chapters/Intro-Table-of-ContentsREV.pdf
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
Congrats!I'm in a private school also but, thankfully, had a clinic all set up and going when I showed up.We use the resources of a local and very large pediatric hospital that provides guidance and tons of forms/documents for school health clinics. We certainly aren't required to use their forms but it's a great place to look when I'm thinking "hey, I need a procedure in place for ___________ or I'd sure like a form for ___________." I just look in my two humongous manuals and usually they've already done the work for me.I print their most up-to-date manual every 3 years but they also have an online version which I keep bookmarked:http://www.choa.org/Health-Professionals/Nursing-Program/Nurse-Resources/School-Nurses/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/2013-School-Health-Manual/Manual-Chapters/Intro-Table-of-ContentsREV.pdf
I went to that link and it only has the index.
It certainly sounds like a good resource. I see they use NASN and the state branch as well. Here in California it is CSNO.
To the OP - there are great resources with NASN and look for your state organization as well.
I meet with the other school nurses in my district/county and the public health nurses once a month. Another great resource!
100kids, BSN, RN
878 Posts
Congrats!http://www.choa.org/Health-Professionals/Nursing-Program/Nurse-Resources/School-Nurses/~/media/CHOA/Documents/Health-Professionals/2013-School-Health-Manual/Manual-Chapters/Intro-Table-of-ContentsREV.pdf
I'm only seeing the Table of Contents but this looks like a great resource. I would love to look through it. Do you know where to find the whole manual electronically?
Thanks for all the great ideas. I found the manual links here:
School Health Program - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta