Not enough to go around......

[loveschoolnursing]

This is my first year as a school nurse. I have two elementary schools that I cover and this week is jammed packed full of field trips. I have several grades going several directions. Earlier this year, I was able to send an EPI pen with field trips because I had one extra but with several grades splitting up and going to different field trips on the same day...I dont have enough for each group/Class. (Keep in mind the students who have Epi of their own are always covered)

Do you send Epi for all your field trips?

[SnowyJ, RN]

It depends on the trip. if it is a few hours at a play, concert etc., no. If it's an all day event, especially if its outdoors, yes.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I only send epi pens for those students who have a known allergy and therefore have an epi pen provided by their parents. My standing orders allow for Stock epi pens only to be administered by an RN employed by my district at this time so they always stay back at school (or with me if I am attending a field trip).

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

In California, there was a recent law passed that the districts had to get epi-pens for each campus (we have 11). We've never had to do that before. However, they neglected to give us any way to get a physician to write us an order. And the physicians were not crazy about this bill. This new mandate started in January and most school nurses in my state are still struggling to get physicians to help. I don't have an Rx yet.

[ohiobobcat]

I only send epi pens for those students who have a known allergy and therefore have an epi pen provided by their parents. My standing orders allow for Stock epi pens only to be administered by an RN employed by my district at this time so they always stay back at school (or with me if I am attending a field trip).

Same here.

[SassyTachyRN]

I only send epi pens for those students who have a known allergy and therefore have an epi pen provided by their parents. My standing orders allow for Stock epi pens only to be administered by an RN employed by my district at this time so they always stay back at school (or with me if I am attending a field trip).

Same for me also.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The new law here states the superintendent sends out an email asking for 2 volunteers per campus to be trained by the school nurse (me). So far, I've gotten two volunteers; one on one campus and one on another. Remember, we have 11 campuses.

If we don't get enough volunteers, the principal or vice principal will have to step up.

Of course, we still don't have a physician's order.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I only send epi pens for those students who have a known allergy and therefore have an epi pen provided by their parents. My standing orders allow for Stock epi pens only to be administered by an RN employed by my district at this time so they always stay back at school (or with me if I am attending a field trip).

Yep. I also cannot delegate a standing order Epi-pen to anyone that is not an RN employed by my school.

Prescribed Epi-pens travel with students/teachers on trips.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

The new law here states the superintendent sends out an email asking for 2 volunteers per campus to be trained by the school nurse (me). So far, I've gotten two volunteers; one on one campus and one on another. Remember, we have 11 campuses.

If we don't get enough volunteers, the principal or vice principal will have to step up.

Of course, we still don't have a physician's order.

There is a new law here that allows us to train others to use stock epi as well BUT my School Doctor is NOT signing off on that for our standing orders (I don't blame him). Thankfully it is not required of our schools yet in our state. I can't imagine how that's all going to get worked out in your state.