Paramedic and teachers assistant being pushed to cover for a irresponsible school nurse?

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Hello! Please note, I'm not a nurse. I'm a EMT-Paramedic and a Teachers Assistant.

Recently, I've been pushed to do short term coverage for the school nurse (30-45 minutes, sometimes an hour) at one of my schools, and the nurse has been gone more because she feels I'm qualified to cover.

I don't feel I am qualified to cover, and I desperately didn't want the district to make it a habit.

Any advice? Any heads up in case they do make it a habit?

(FYI I work at multiple schools, it's just one that consistently asks me to do this)

irresponsible?? im getting my goat up a little.....in what way is the nurse irresponsible and why do you offer your skills as an EMT?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I know for a fact in my state other licensure / certification is required in my state to be a school nurse besides just being an RN. I'm aware I would be considered a medical professional, I just don't want to get caught up in having insufficient licenses, etc if something occurs that could result in legal issues.

I do not belong to a union.

Hello! Please note, I'm not a nurse. I'm a EMT-Paramedic and a Teachers Assistant.

Recently, I've been pushed to do short term coverage for the school nurse (30-45 minutes, sometimes an hour) at one of my schools, and the nurse has been gone more because she feels I'm qualified to cover.

I don't feel I am qualified to cover, and I desperately didn't want the district to make it a habit.

Any advice? Any heads up in case they do make it a habit?

(FYI I work at multiple schools, it's just one that consistently asks me to do this)

I'm usually at the tail end of the slinky, but where does Scotty say this nurse is irresponsible?:bag:

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I'm usually at the tail end of the slinky, but where does Scotty say this nurse is irresponsible?:bag:

In the title of the thread.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.
In the title of the thread.

I missed that too. I thought maybe a post was edited and I missed all the fun.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
In the title of the thread.

See, I told you! Tail end of the slinky! Thank You Kidz!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

So...Scotty you got a lot a "splainin" to do.:whistling:

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Specializes in School nurse.
In my experience I have noticed that school nurses often aren't nurses at all. In fact depending on the state, a school nurse does not have to be a certified nursing assistant even. All that quite a few states we've lived in required was a CPR and First- Aid course. Budget cuts have changed the school nurse position dynamically with many school districts sharing one registered nurse. Emergencies are turned over to 911 and besides basic care, CPR/Heimlich and epi-pen administration, the school nurse essentially is a liaison between the district nurses. I'd do some research to uncover what is required for your state. Chances are, you are over qualified. I've heard a few stories that ended horribly for children due to this risky budget adjustment but don't feel like many people actually know their school nurse is not an LPN/RN/CMT/Paramedic... Best of luck to you my friend.

Since less than half of schools nationwide have a nurse this sounds about right. For the rest of us though, we are very much professional nurses.

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Paramedic and teachers assistant being pushed to cover for a irresponsible school nurse?

the topic of his thread...

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Paramedic and teachers assistant being pushed to cover for a irresponsible school nurse?

the topic of his thread...

Duh...that's me

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Where is OP? We have questions, come back!

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Where is OP? We have questions, come back!

Troll? Only 2 posts. Not returning. Posted something sure to get a reaction. Not addressing questions.

Troll.

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let me tell ya...that is really IRRESPONSIBLE of him to start a thread and not return...utterly IRRESPONSIBLE.....I am a nurse and I post and return, surely..a teacher assistant/Paramedic (cough cough)/"per diem school nurse" has enough time to return to answer some questions..must be too busy doing screenings, immunizations, state reports, teaching plans, EMT calls...

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