Preschool?

Published

Any preschool nurses? I'm contemplating applying for a preschool opening, but I've never worked with kids that young before (elementary and middle school experience only) and I'm not sure what all it entails. This is an early learning school but not a Head Start program. Thanks for any info!

(I figure there are differences in immunizations and potty accidents. :yes: Just wondering what else I should consider.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Just little person stuff. Earaches, belly aches, bathroom accidents. Bathroom accidents are all taken care of by the teachers and paras. My favorite group of kids are my 40ish Early Childhood Special Ed. little sweethearts. I love them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

We have preschool at my elementary school and they are my least frequent visitors because the teachers and aides are so great with them and their day is so short. They are a lot shyer and are not able to provide me with much verbal info so I do my assessment and then call the parent as they know more of what's going on and always appreciate the call because they are still so young. I get down to their level and speak suuuuper calmly because if they get scared then it's going to be a lot harder to help :down:

You may notice differences at a school that is all preschool but this is what I've seen at my school! Good luck if you apply!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What I've notice with the preschool kids:

So freaking cute!! My uterus tries to betray me and want more kids when they walk by my office!

Less visits because the teachers take care of so much and have more hands in thBre room with paras/aids

Short day= less daily meds to worry about. Barely any PRNs.

They're really cute.

Parents are so much easier to get a hold of. Partly because they see a call from the school and immediately answer and partly because more families have a parent staying home at that age.

In our district, parents either drop off and pick up or get bus service. If you need to exclude a child it is super easy, because you can meet the parent at the door and say "Sorry, you ignored my 6 warnings and your child can't attend today or until I get XYZ paperwork" or the bus just doesn't go to pick them up.

Cute, cute, cute.

They love every adult they encounter in the school so there are lots of hugs and looks of adoration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..

I have two preschool classes in my elementary school. I don't see many of them, just the big bumps to check out, and occasional fever. There was an outbreak of pink eye that kept them coming for about two weeks.

They are very shy, and most don't talk much. Usually they think I'm going to give them shots or something like that, so in the off chance that they need to go home and have to sit with me they usually have a meltdown until I ensure them I'm not going to hurt them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I miss the looks of adoration from the HS kids. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
I miss the looks of adoration from the HS kids. :rolleyes:

But we love 'em anyway... ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I have pk kids here - and yes, the biggest thing with them is that their immunization requirements are different from everyone else. Having to chase down the flu vaccine for them become a bit of a chore since it's deadline is mid year, but we get through it. The deadline comes and no flu shot, they are out of school. Beyond that it's fun to have littles in the school - so dang cute and innocent! No malingering there - what you see is what you get!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

And pre school aged kids don't malinger, which is SO NICE!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you, all! I think I will apply and see what happens!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

Love preschool!!! I was a preschool teacher for many years before I even thought about becoming a nurse. I have two preschool classes in my school. The three year old program is half day and I only see them for accidents. The teachers don't change them although I make the teacher stay with me as a witness. When I worked in the classroom, I changed my own students but then again, there was no nurse!

The four year old program is all day. The teacher in that program is kind of a big germaphobe and will bring anyone in who has a runny nose or watery eye and basically beg me to send them home. She did get a lot better this year. Last year was my first year so I think she finally is on the same page with me that we can't send everyone home because of a cough.

I agree with the above poster that the flu vaccine was the worst. Deadline in my state is December 31st and I always had a few who did not show proof. They only listened once the health inspector from the health department came and did an audit and demanded exclusion. My principal doesn't follow the rules properly.

But other than that, they are the best! Super cute and sweet. My favorite from this year was teaching them what nurses do because they were learning the letter "n" in class and the teacher asked if her class could tour my office. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got the job! :) So excited to work with the littles!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion