SchoolNurseK

Does anyone have an Emergency Action Plan for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? I need to get one together before my student returns, but thought I would check here before reinventing the wheel! Thanks!?

I am back for year three. I actually quit with thoughts of leaving nursing all together, but they lured me back with the promise of a Clinic Assistant who started on her own last week. I now have Wednesdays and Fridays off and this is already a game changer! This reduced schedule is allowing me to turn off my COVID brain and take care of myself, which was a huge challenge for me last year. When it comes down to it, I love my kids and so I largely love my job. COVID is maybe starting to settle here and some days feel almost normal. Three years of doing this THROUGH A PANDEMIC has also given me more confidence so my days here seem to largely flow pretty smoothly. Let's stay the course friends. We are here for such a time as this. Hugs to everyone!

This is what I always do as well. I explain that they are getting enough oxygen, they are safe, etc...

Thankfully in FL we are largely through the pollen season. It was a beast! I did send a lot of kids to get tested even though their parents promised me "it's just allergies" and I am glad I did. I caught several cases before they returned to school. Stay the course! You are so close to the end of the year!

I am in my second year at my high school and I really like working here. My 9th grader joined the school this year and it seemed like it would be ideal. School pick-up/drop-off rolled into my work commute, same schedule, etc... However, the 9th grader is not loving it. In fact, my kiddo politely asked me to move schools next year or he would like to change schools. I am a little heart-broken. I love it here and he is thriving, but there is no separation from Mom and that has been difficult for him. I keep a low profile when he is around, but we have a unique name and there is no getting away from the fact that he is "the nurse's kid." I just submitted my proposal to negotiate my contract for next year (long story that involved me turning in my resignation and them asking me to stay) and now this honest conversation with him has opened my eyes. I had no idea how much he disliked having me pop up in random places all day. I keep it professional between us, but I guess I am still his mom and that makes a 15yo feel awkward. Anyone navigated this before?

I turned in my Intent to Return form yesterday...I am not returning. ? It was a very difficult decision, but I think this is what is best for me and my family. It almost feels selfish, but I think this is something we as nurses put on ourselves too often. I love my school and my kids. This has been my favorite nursing role of my almost 20 year career, but at this point I want to be more present for my family than I feel this job allows. I may look at doing PRN vaccine clinics or something like that for a while. I truly believe I will return to school nursing, I just need a break. Looking forward to new opportunities, but doing so with a heavy heart. Goodbyes are tough.

This was exactly my thought in mixing the vaccinated and un-vaccinated students. I appreciate your input and I will try to find that article.

For real. This is exactly why I feel fried. I want to throw my hands up and say, "I have no idea and I cannot make any more decisions about anything!" but alas, I must remain professional and try to keep my brain going in the right direction. Counting down the days....27 more.

We have a team going to a competition several hours from our school, so they will be staying overnight. Some parents have opted to attend and their student will stay with them in a hotel room. We will have four additional students that are fully vaccinated and three that are not that will need to be placed into two hotel rooms. I have been asked to advise admin on the sleeping arrangements. Do I split up the vaccinated and un-vaccinated to reduce risk or do I keep all vaccinated kids together? I have no idea how best to approach this! HELP!

I submitted it to admin and they are taking it to the board and school lawyer for review. Thanks for all the input, everyone!

I just had a parent request for a space for their child to do a mental health visit during school hours. We as a school had nothing to do with the appointment, but I facilitated the visit by providing a private space. I foresee more of these types of things coming since telehealth is becoming so prevalent, so I want to make sure we are prepared with a process and a consent form so that the school isn't held responsible.

Does anyone have an existing consent form for telehealth appointments? I am in a high school so I am anticipating students doing telehealth during school hours is going to become more common. I've been working on creating one and this is what I have so far. Any input is appreciated! Parental Authorization: Student Telehealth Appointment During School Hours Student Name: ____________________­­­­­­­­­ Student Number: __________________ Date and Time of Appointment: __________________ Name of Provider: ______________________________ My student has a scheduled telehealth appointment and I am requesting that XXXX provide a private and confidential space for this appointment. I will provide all equipment necessary for my student to attend the appointment including laptop with camera, phone, and headphones. I understand that XXXX staff cannot enforce student participation in a telehealth appointment, nor are they responsible for connectivity issues that may arise during the session. I will hold XXXX and its staff harmless for an incomplete or interrupted session, or in a breech in confidentiality during the session. I understand that that some therapies may not be as effective in this setting/context and that I need to be available during the appointment to communicate with the provider as needed. XXXX staff will not participate in the appointment, nor provide consent. I hereby release all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of action or suits of law or inequity, of whatsoever or nature against XXXX the School Board or any employees following this request. I understand that I am signing on behalf of a minor or otherwise legally dependent person, and I certify that I am a person with legal authority to act on behalf of the patient, including the authority to consent to medical services, and I accept financial responsibility for services rendered. Signature of Parent(s) or Guardian(s): ___________________ *Date of Request: ________________ *Request must be 72 hours prior to appointment Approval: __________ Date: ______________ Staff member to supervise appointment: _________________ Location of appointment: _______________________________

Yes, depending on where you work this can be an issue. I worked in a pretty rough area when I was in home health before I had kids. Looking back, I wasn't always the safest, though I wore scrubs and that seems to afford me a certain level of protection and respect. Once I was a Mom, I switch to a rural area. Things still got dodgy a few times, but nothing I couldn't handle. You quickly learn to enter a home and take charge. That usually diffuses most things. Being a school nurse will have prepared you for that! ? Best of luck!

If you are looking for a flexible schedule, I was PRN in home health for YEARS before coming to school nursing. I did Medicare visits (the paperwork looks daunting but you can learn it pretty quickly), so I was able to schedule my 30-45 min visits around my kids' schedules. I could load up on visits if I wanted to make extra money, or let my agency know that my kids were off for the Summer so I wasn't going to be as available. It worked really well for us, I just needed a change so I came to school nursing. I miss my flexible schedule but having the Summer totally off is nice too!

47 on-campus days, plus one week after school ends! Plus I took a little vaca in the middle, so it's 44 on-campus days for me. :-) I think we are going to make it, friends! Whew!