littleduckrn5

This is a curiosity post...is everyone here officially considered a school nurse legally by their state? I technically am not a licensed school nurse in my state but I work as a registered nurse in a school health clinic. I work thru an educational/health services company. I am the only registered nurse at this private K-8 school so I am the district nurse as well. I delegate to a health aide. I am going back for my BSN now and am debating whether I should work towards becoming a licensed school nurse. I have a bachelors in another field. This is my first year in school nursing and I enjoy it compared to previous RN jobs. I tell family and friends I am a school nurse because trying to explain that I am not a licensed school nurse confuses them. Sorry for the long post. I am just curious about everyone's background here. Thank you for reading!

What do you all do when working while sick? Do you wear a mask while in clinic? This is my first cold/flu season working in a school and I have caught a bad cold. I was already scheduled off today but will be returning tomorrow. I work in K-8 and don't want to scare any of the younger kids if they see me with a mask. Also, even though there is no Coronavirus in my state, the staff are worried about any cough they see. Any tips? Advice? I already have my bag stocked with tea bags and cough drops for tomorrow.

I am seeing Type A from those who have reported. Mostly just getting calls from parents keeping their kid out with the "flu" but no doctor visit... Right now I have strep going around my kindergarten group.

Thank you all for your comments so far. It is greatly appreciated! I am currently looking at my employer website and reading the scope of practice guidelines for the RN, LPN, MA, and health aide positions. ORC 3313.713 Policy for employees to administer drugs prescribed by physicians to students.--- Designated persons employed by the board are authorized to administer to a student a drug prescribed for the student. Effective July 1, 2011, only employees of the board who are licensed health professionals, or who have completed a drug administration training program conducted by a licensed health professional and considered appropriate by the board, may administer to a student a drug prescribed for the student. Except as otherwise provided by federal law, the board's policy may provide that certain drugs or types of drugs shall not be administered or that no employee shall use certain procedures, such as injection, to administer a drug to a student. (I copied/pasted the above) I guess this is why they only have a school nurse one day a week because they have staff who have completed the drug administration training program? I am certainly looking into my state laws. I am actually at the library now as I type this.

Hi. New school nurse starting tomorrow. I am contracted thru a health services company and will be going one day a week to a private school. A health aide is present the rest of the week. I am just curious if this is common in your area? Are you the school nurse the whole week or does your school have health aides? I am also thinking about the school nurse certification if I decide to pursue this career on a more regular interval. Right now this is supplemental income for me. For this current position with the health services company I did not need the school nurse licensure, the positions just require RN license. Any advice? Bonus if you are an Ohio school nurse. ? Side questions: Do you like to bring your own nurse bag for personal supplies? I don't mean the school emergency bag. I bought some supplies since I wasn't sure what to expect when I walk in this week. Any nurse bag/tote brand recommendations. I am excited to start but am nervous being the only licensed medical person in the school. I just feel odd only being there once a week. Thank you for reading this long post! Take care everyone!!