New School Nurses

BSNmommyof2 · Sep 17, 2016

I'm also new this year. Was hired 2 weeks after the start of the school year. Grades 6-12 approx 500 students in total with 4 who are quite medically complex with trach and g-tube care. I do have help and share the school with an LPN new to the school also. I'm 1 week in and feeling completely lost with what to tackle first. I've been asked(really told)to give Narcan, epi-pen, and blood borne pathogen training to all staff, plus enter all physicals and immunizations into snap.. I know this is all probably manageable but after 15 years in the ER with a Plan for most everything... I'm lost! The other nurses in the district aren't up for being mentors as apparently they won't get paid for it.. We don't have a designated nurse leader. I'm really just venting and hoping next summer is amazing! I do love the kids and the medical aspect of it... The million piles of paper and constant instructions from teachers and staff are a little overwhelming...

Nurse_JackieVA, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2016

Hey there, just got hired for an elementary school (500 kids) and I start on the 28th. Just moved to VA from the west coast a few months ago. I currently have a job in a hospital but it's time to take a break from the bedside. I'm coming from critical care to school nursing, a little nervous but welcoming the change.

The core team of nurses seem like they will be helpful and have a plan for my training/orientation. When I took a tour of the school a few days ago the staff seemed really excited and welcomed me.

MHDNURSE · Sep 19, 2016

I am new as well. I started September of 2015 in a public charter school and still consider myself "new" as I am constantly learning. I was hired after school had already started and it was a new school so really no one knew what they were doing in terms of helping me figure out what I was supposed to be doing. I have no mentor so I have figured it out on my own and from forums such as this one (I only just joined this one today so am looking forward to learning all I can). My background is pediatrics and community health so while there are things that have helped prepare me, I was (and still am) overwhelmed by all the State Mandated Screenings, State Laws, etc. I had NO IDEA how administrative this job would be and how much red tape there is with all the rules and regs :nailbiting: So every day I am learning something new. Thankfully the administration at my school is extremely supportive of my role here and make me feel like I can ask for help, it's just that there isn't really anyone "medical" who can help me.

mrsfoster601 · Oct 4, 2016

Greeting from California new to this school nursing thing just started at this school about 3 weeks ago so I'm going to be asking a lot of questions my first question is how high does a child fever have to be before you send them home and if you send them home can they come back the next day

GdBSN, RN · Oct 4, 2016

Welcome! Our school policy is they go home at 100.00, and they have to be fever free without medication for 24 hours.

Embralpn · Oct 9, 2016

I'm so glad I find this forum! I've been reading all of the posts like a textbook! New school nurse, hired 2 weeks after school started, 2 days of training from another new school nurse who just kept apologizing for not knowing the answers to any of my questions. I'm struggling with high volume in addition to scheduled tube feeds and meds and insulin dependent diabetics- I know I'm missing things with paperwork, I just don't know what they are! Thankful for the two bathrooms in the office or I'd never get to go! Lucky,the administration has been as helpful as they can be- they don't know the things I don't know either. I just keep telling myself I will figure it all out eventually, it's been 6 or 7 weeks and I'm having an easier time telling them to go back to class, telling parents yes,you really do need to come get your child. So glad I found this resource.