New School Nurses

HyzenthlayLPN · Aug 19, 2016

I am a new school nurse :) I started 8/5.

chemteach · Aug 20, 2016

Also new and also in Texas! School starts for kids on Monday!

100kids, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2016

Welcome newbies! This is a great board and a great group coworkers! I'm in NY and don't start school till for a few more weeks so I'm still chilling at the beach but wanted to say hi!

KKEGS, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2016

Hey there. I'm a new school nurse also. I am in Minnesota and I'll be covering an elementary school and a middle school. Today was my first official day on the job at New Employee Orientation. I'll have some training tomorrow for the different computer systems we use and then I'll get into my health office for the first time on Wednesday to start getting the lay of the land. I must admit that I am freaking out a bit because, although I was told how independent school nursing is, I didn't expect it to be this independent! They knew I was brand new coming in but no one had contacted me about anything! I am supposed to have 2 days before school starts as work/prep days. Work and prep what?!? I know I'm supposed to focus on ECPs but I don't know which kids have them, where to find them, etc. I reached out to the lead nurse and she is meeting with me on Wednesday so we can talk through some of this stuff. As someone who left the hospital environment where everything was so planned out in terms of my training this is a huge change and I feel very discombobulated. Help!

NANA75 · Aug 23, 2016

Welcome I am also a new nurse starting tomorrow here in Tx Thsi site is full of info that has been helpful already

Csn2016, BSN · Aug 23, 2016

Hi there! new school nurse here too and terrified. I have zero training in this setting (other than my practicum) they pretty much showed me my office and said 'here ya go!" Found out I even missed open house last night because nobody felt it was necessary to inform the new nurse that this even occurred. Feeling incredibly defeated today as I sit at my desk with piles of IHPs to go through and over 1200 kids I know nothing on. Was not fully informed of my job responsibilities prior to signing my contract either--found out I also cover another smaller elementary school and I am responsible for those kids as well. I have no health aid or assistant. I dont even know where to start, I've spent most of my morning shifting papers around on my desk. There is one other CSN for the school district and she is in another building 3 miles away (she was assigned as my mentor) It is becoming very obvious to me how under appreciated the CSN is as the management has no clue as to what my role is with these students. *sigh* I'm terrified that I made the worst career choice ever and I am hoping that it will get better as I learn the ropes. They signed me into my computer today, showed me the icon for the 'health charting' and the I/T guy said 'yeah I really dont understand how to navigate this program"...WHAT?! I have teachers coming to me asking me about updated health concerns for their classes....I want to cry...please someone tell me this gets better!!

VN2016 · Aug 23, 2016

Hi there! new school nurse here too and terrified. I have zero training in this setting (other than my practicum) they pretty much showed me my office and said 'here ya go!" Found out I even missed open house last night because nobody felt it was necessary to inform the new nurse that this even occurred. Feeling incredibly defeated today as I sit at my desk with piles of IHPs to go through and over 1200 kids I know nothing on. Was not fully informed of my job responsibilities prior to signing my contract either--found out I also cover another smaller elementary school and I am responsible for those kids as well. I have no health aid or assistant. I dont even know where to start, I've spent most of my morning shifting papers around on my desk. There is one other CSN for the school district and she is in another building 3 miles away (she was assigned as my mentor) It is becoming very obvious to me how under appreciated the CSN is as the management has no clue as to what my role is with these students. *sigh* I'm terrified that I made the worst career choice ever and I am hoping that it will get better as I learn the ropes. They signed me into my computer today, showed me the icon for the 'health charting' and the I/T guy said 'yeah I really dont understand how to navigate this program"...WHAT?! I have teachers coming to me asking me about updated health concerns for their classes....I want to cry...please someone tell me this gets better!!

It does get better trust me. I was in the same situation as you are today. I felt like quitting and giving up, no one informs me of anything because i have to find out on my own. I started with no mentor or anyone knowing my role. It will take time to adjust trust me but being on here will help you a lot and try looking for other nurse websites and local nurses.

message me and i will try to help you as much as i can. :saint:

OldDude · Aug 23, 2016

Hi there! new school nurse here too and terrified. I have zero training in this setting (other than my practicum) they pretty much showed me my office and said 'here ya go!" Found out I even missed open house last night because nobody felt it was necessary to inform the new nurse that this even occurred. Feeling incredibly defeated today as I sit at my desk with piles of IHPs to go through and over 1200 kids I know nothing on. Was not fully informed of my job responsibilities prior to signing my contract either--found out I also cover another smaller elementary school and I am responsible for those kids as well. I have no health aid or assistant. I dont even know where to start, I've spent most of my morning shifting papers around on my desk. There is one other CSN for the school district and she is in another building 3 miles away (she was assigned as my mentor) It is becoming very obvious to me how under appreciated the CSN is as the management has no clue as to what my role is with these students. *sigh* I'm terrified that I made the worst career choice ever and I am hoping that it will get better as I learn the ropes. They signed me into my computer today, showed me the icon for the 'health charting' and the I/T guy said 'yeah I really dont understand how to navigate this program"...WHAT?! I have teachers coming to me asking me about updated health concerns for their classes....I want to cry...please someone tell me this gets better!!

"It gets better." There, everything is ok. Marathon is run but one step at a time grasshopper. Don't get side tracked with "stuff." Prioritize...Student health and safety top priority. When you're not snatching kids from the jaws of death start on identifying health conditions that may need to be dealt with at school. Scribble clinic visits and medication administration on paper for now. Once you have a handle on health conditions start on immunization requirements and move on to required health screenings. When school is out this summer, and you're relaxing with a cool one while other nurses are going to work, this will just be a story to tell.

HyzenthlayLPN · Aug 23, 2016

I am a new school nurse also :) The district I work in has not had a school nurse for many years and the school secretaries have been doing immunization reviews, medication administration, etc. I think screenings were contracted out...so I have really been struggling to figure out what I am supposed to be doing :)

I made friends with the school secretaries :) I have spent a lot of time on this message board and on doing research online. I also have a School Nurse Handbook and New School Nurse Orientation guide from my state's Department of Health.

I would contact your mentor and see if perhaps you can spend a few hours with her?

Cattz, ADN · Aug 24, 2016

Csn2016 - Wondering if you just slept at your desk last night, or if you went home after school yesterday to re-group for today? If you did the latter, I sure hope you came back today! I promise, it does get better. Your nursing judgement, I refer to it as my "nurse brain", will kick in when the overwhelming feelings subside a little. You can do this!! We are here, for support, and some really good laughs quite frequently. There are a lot of things that only a School Nurse will understand. You will figure this out very quickly!!

I love what OldDude said about the summer...YESSSSS!

Csn2016, BSN · Aug 24, 2016

Csn2016 - Wondering if you just slept at your desk last night, or if you went home after school yesterday to re-group for today? If you did the latter, I sure hope you came back today! I promise, it does get better. Your nursing judgement, I refer to it as my "nurse brain", will kick in when the overwhelming feelings subside a little. You can do this!! We are here, for support, and some really good laughs quite frequently. There are a lot of things that only a School Nurse will understand. You will figure this out very quickly!!
I love what OldDude said about the summer...YESSSSS!

I'm back! I'm not one to give up so easily just having a tough time adjusting from the structured 'hospital setting' to the educational setting. There is like zero management here which as I'm told once I'm settled I will love lol. My mentor spent an hour and a half with me yesterday...talked me off the ledge ha!

I was just incredibly overwhelmed and feeling defeated when I posted. I'm so out of the loop and I get forgotten about being the school nurse vs a teacher (for example I was never informed of open house time/dates so I did not show, feel like an idiot but as the principle said its their fault they didn't tell me). I know this first year will be rough and thankfully the faculty here is INCREDIBLE they have not complained once about my questions (and the school secretary is a god send!) Its just a shame there is not some sort of invasive orientation process in effect for individuals as they transition into a CSN role!

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement--OP sorry to highjack your thread with my mini meltdown!! :)