Dattebayo

I'm new to high school this year. Was elementary up until this school year. The guidance department at the high school seems to be almost wholly focused on scheduling and career things. They don't really "follow" and "check-in regularly" with kids. I'm used to elementary, where the kids that needed help were scheduled each week or month to chat with the counselor and touch base and see how they were doing. That doesn't really seem to happen at all here unless it is a crisis situation. I see a lot of mental health in my office, which is fine. I honestly love the mental health part of my job, and want to go on to get my PMHNP eventually. How is mental health handled in your high school by the guidance department? Thanks!

We've come full circle! Shut it down. ?

Teacher sent a student down who tells me his stomach was hurting earlier, and also his head. "Are they hurting now?" No. "Ok.. go back to class." C'MON!

So. This morning, almost immediately as school started, the administrator sent 2 students to my office without telling me why. The only thing I could get from the 2 boys, was that the one had spit in the other's face. So I took them by the hands, and walked them upstairs to the admin to ask why they were sent to me. "For the germ talk" she states. Ok... All well and good, sure I'll talk about why spitting on someone is gross and germy... but there's a bigger issue here right? I asked her if she would be contacting the children's parents. "No, but you should call Boy #1's parents to let them know what happened." Me? So I say "I'm not going to be able to tell them anything about the disciplinary action being taken against the child who SPIT on their son...I think they should hear from an administrator. Spitting is one of the worst, most disrespectful things you could do to another person." She replies "No, you call. To let them know about the germs."... So, I called, spoke to dad, and he was rightfully pissed. "Can I transfer you right up to the administrator sir?" UUUUUUGHHHHHH. I am also the first person to call whenever a student is assaulted by another student. First thing the good parents ask (after checking their child is ok), "What is being done?" I don't know! ugh. #notmyrole

Thanks guys! Student went home, with directions to parents to return with note from MD.

6 year old child. Started on tip of nose a month ago, but went away. Child with runny nose and area has returned, bigger this time. None are open or crusty. My question, if it IS a herpes rash, is he ok to be in school, so long as nothing is open or weeping? We don't have a standing policy on that. I do have another nurse in the school system I can call, but I wanted to come into the conversation at least a little bit educated. I am a new school nurse, about 2 months in. Thank you!

Ugh, I can't make the photo smaller, and now I can't figure out how to just delete the post! Sorry everyone...

Sooo....do people not use hydrogen peroxide to rinse out ears anymore? I don't know how much it actually does, but it usually appeases my "ear aches." If not, what do you recommend? Assuming no fever.

I love the idea of providing "Yucky Buckets!"

K-2 here! Perfect ages! They're mostly so sweet and loving. I get so many hugs everyday : )

I bet they HAVE to say they are only considering CSNs. I was hired as an RN in my current position without the CSN, by saying I would work towards it. I think letters of recommendation from current teachers/principal will go a LONG way to getting you the position. Especially, like you said, as there have been a lot of shake ups lately.

One would think...but she HAS to be right!

I'm in a charter and I have no bathroom in my office either! Thank goodness it's next door though. I guess it's because charters often use buildings that were not built to be schools.

I wear scrubs. The district I subbed in previously, the nurses wore casual attire. I specifically asked about it when I subbed, and they said "something easy to move around in." Makes sense to me! And yeah...I'd rather not get fluids on my real clothes!

Ugh. My current admin is like that too. Never wrong, and always correcting you just for the sake of correcting you! Even when she is completely wrong!!!

Our current administrator insists that kids should sneeze/cough into their hands! I was talking to her about how I am putting together a presentation to do in the classes about the role of the school nurse, and some health topics like hand washing and lice. I mentioned the "vampire sneeze", sneezing into your sleeve. And she says "No No No! They need to sneeze into their hands. They can wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Teacher's grab kids by their arms all the time and then the teacher will be touching that!" I tried to politely disagree, but she was adamant. I am tempted to include a screen capture from the CDC website on cough/sneeze etiquette in my presentation... Can you imagine kids with colds getting up to wash their hands or use sanitizer EVERY TIME THEY SNEEZE!? Or touching all their friends and objects with snotty hands!? UGH!!!

oh man... would that I could! I'm new to this school as of November. And the administration is VERY image conscious. If they think something will go badly with the parents, they are NOT cool with it. Maybe I'll be sneaky about it once I've put in more time here...

I work in a K-2 school. I'm on bus/car duty in the morning and I see SOOOO many of my small students riding in the front passenger seat of the cars... I remarked on this to my school administrator, and asked if it might be beneficial to send home information about the illegality and safety issues of children riding in the front seat. She stated "That's a legal issue. We don't get mixed up in that." I am not satisfied with that answer... Some of these parents might be willfully going against the law, but some of them might be ignorant of the law and safety issues. I'd rather say something and possibly prevent an injury... There's nothing I can really do about this issue now, since she shut it down. So I guess I'm just venting!

If you live in south Jersey, apply to Christiana Care hospitals in Delaware. They are DEFINITELY hiring new grads. I was having no luck in south jersey and panicking as graduation drew near. I applied online to Christiana, and within a day I got a phone call to set up and interview. I was interviewed by a couple different people on the day I went in and was offered a job before I left! It was awesome! There isn't any loan forgiveness or bonus (at least that I was offered), but the pay is nice and its a very nice hospital. Good luck!!

I just wanted to write this thread to for anyone like me who was having problems finding open positions for newly graduating nurses in south jersey. I just got hired at Christiana in Delaware!!! Apparently they are expanding like mad, and they need people badly. I went in for my interview today, and they offered me a job! I almost died! Also, the starting salary is $26.02, with a 3% raise in 6 mos. The commute is going to be about 45 minutes for me, but depending on how southerly you are in jersey, you could be as close as 20-25 mins away. Just so people know! YAYAYAYAYAYAYA!!!:balloons:

I guess maybe I'm just running into more troubles because I'm not graduating in the normal time frame of May when all the intern positions and such begin. I won't be done till August and a lot of places are telling me they've hired their quota of newbie nurses, and maybe more positions will open up in september. Thanks for all the encouragement. The second someone actually asks me to interview, I'm gonna be sure and jump on it! At the very least after 6 mos to a year in Delaware if I end up there, I'll be in demand as "experienced". At least more so than now.

To any nurses currently working out there, do you think that students who graduate from accelerated programs are as well prepared as those from other programs? I'm trying to get the general perception of the nursing population. I am currently an accelerated student, finishing up this August, and I'm wondering if I will hit any blocks because of the program I came from. Incidentally, in case someone is unfamiliar, accelerated students have a previous bachelors in something else, so they get all the prereqs and history and stuff out of the way. That was they can just take nursing classes, and get through a bachelors in much less time. The number of clinical hours is exactly the same as for the regular nursing undergrads. Have you heard anything?

I don't know about everyone else, but the complete reluctance I've come up against of south jersey hospitals to look at a soon to be graduate nurse has really floored me. They all tell me to call back in August or September, when I'm graduating. And even then you can't work till you pass your boards. Am I insane to think that I can at least interview and get a job offer maybe a couple months in advance? I go to school in PA but I'm moving to jersey, and almost all my classmates have had jobs lined up for months! Especially when you are paying for school by yourself and running out of money, it would be nice to know you have a job. All I get from south jersey hospitals is the run around. Its like there is no shortage! Monday I have an interview in Delaware. Is this law/attitude making anyone else think about applying in other states? :uhoh21: