Overnight field trip with diabetic student

[100kids, BSN, RN]

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on this. I am considering going along on an overnight field trip this spring with my school as the Nurse so that a diabetic student can attend. His parents cannot come along so the school asked if I would be willing to attend. This child's levels are not regulated so we have major fluctuations during the day. I am planning if I go to have a conference with the parents to get a complete rundown of his care, go over what we can expect in terms of eating and exercise, etc and then I will get physician orders for his non school hours care (currently I only have his school hour care documented). Is there anything you think I may also need to do beforehand?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Get malpractice insurance?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

how old is this child? How long has he been diabetic?

It's not uncommon for my students to have overnight trips. Sometimes a nurse is required, sometimes not. In regards to the times a diabetic is on the trip, the nurse does usually have a bit of a daily rundown. My students are middle school aged, so they can be largely responsible for their own care.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I do have malpractice insurance on my own as well as coverage through the school. The student is 11 and was diagnosed 4 years ago. He does his own testing and injections but he is immature and does not have any responsibility for what he eats, when he eats, etc. and he needs to be reminded to test for ketones over a certain reading, hydrate, etc.

[Jolie, BSN]

I've not gone on overnights, but many of my co-workers have. If the parents are able and willing to provide you with the necessary information including physician's orders, and you are able to reach them by phone during the trip, then have at it.

Our district does a "night in the woods" in 5th grade. It's become a right of passage for these kids and they look forward to it and prepare for it for months. I applaud you for helping this child to achieve a milestone.

[schooldistrictnurse]

I go every year on a seventh grade three day thing. Last year one girl needed q 2 hr checks at night. Boy, was I glad to get home!One thought-- can you get the menu ahead of time?Plus there is a pay bonus for the staff that attend. Good Luck!

[Arnu]

If you are in a public school someone that is fully trained in diabetes care MUST be on that field trip with the student. At 12 he may be doing most of his own care, but someone must be fully trained incase of an emergency. I would think on an overnight field trip they'd require a nurse anyway, just incase something happens with ANY of the children.

[mycsm]

Will you be the nurse for the entire class going or just the diabetic? If he has major flucuations during the day, then you will be needed to be with him the entire day, what if another student needs you...will you take your diabetic with you or leave him?? I have done overnights and if the parents cannot come, either parents get a Sub/private duty OR they need to go. I cant do both and have the diabtic travel everywhere with me, what will he get out of the trip?

[Arnu]

You can not MAKE the parents go. Its against section 504, while the child is at school its the school responsibility to make sure his needs are met, that includes field trips and extra curricular/afterschool activities.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I will really only be the nurse for the diabetic student on this trip. A nurse is not required for the other students. If another student needs something small then of course I will help but my only responsibility is the diabetic student. I will be with that student the entire day. The only time I will not be with him is when he is sleeping and he will have a parent chaperone in his room and I will be right close by for emergencies. Arnu is correct you cannot REQUIRE the parents to go.