New to school nursing

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Hello, 

I am new to school nursing. Im working with an agency that hires nurses for substitute nursing roles with no prior experience. 
 

I don't have any pediatric nursing experience. I've worked with only adults for years in various setting such as hospital, rehab, LTC, home health etc. 

What did you do to feel comfortable in your role? Was there any training? Im nervous being thrown into an environment with no experience or training? 

For example my agency offered a temp shift in my area. When I asked about the school software or charting system. They told me to just go and wing it, ask the office staff how to get longed in to access chart etc. I pride myself in being knowledgable about what I am doing? 
 

Any tips or helpful resources? 
This is for NJ

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I would see if you can get contact information for the school ahead of time. Reach out to them and find out if they have a nurse manager in the district, get that person's contact info if so, or at the very least the contact info for another nurse in the district, and set up some time to meet with them and go over the details for charting, daily expectations, etc. 

As a contract nurse, I don't know what they would hold you responsible for. If the expectation is that you just be in the building to care for the kids there, then you want to find out the acuity of the students - are there any diabetics? Seizure disorders? Straight caths? G-Tube Feeds?  Does the school have standing orders or certain protocols for you to follow? 

If they are expecting you to be reviewing immunization records and physical exam records, doing mandatory screenings, find the NJ School Nurse Association website and see if they have any resources for the state's requirements. 

Above all else, you have to be confident in your assessment skills. You will likely be the only health care professional in the building. Since you've never worked with the pediatric population, I would brush up on your normal vitals for peds patients - it's very different than adults - and maybe see if you can find some pediatric respiratory, abdominal, and neuro assessment videos on YouTube. If you have the means, try to take a PEARS class through the American Heart Association. 

Also, searching this sub is a great resource. Lots of great information on a variety of topics!

[Achevy, BSN, MSN]

I worked as a sub school nurse for 2 years.  The first year, my only responsibility was to see the kids as needed and to pass the scheduled medications.  I kept a paper log for the school nurse that she looked over when she returned.  The school nurse copied my paper log into the system.  I assessed and called parents.  The second year, they gave me computer access, but my only responsibilities were still to look after the kids as needed and pass the scheduled meds.  When you get to your sub offices, someone will give you a quick run down of their forms and where to locate parent numbers.  Then take a tour of the office on your own and find all the supplies you might need.  One thing that I learned as the sub nurse was to not overstep and try not to do too much.  It was someone else's office that I was essentially just babysitting, so while I wanted to do more, it was important to show some restraint and stay in my sub role.  I also googled School Nurse Fist Aid and read some blogs and printed infographics about common problems a school nurse would see and what the recommended treatments are.  The more time you spend in the offices the more comfortable you will feel ?