Allie911

As a RN and a mom of a premie I can say the noise level in the NICU is not only a stressor for the babies but also for the parents. I have been a pediatric nurse and worked occasionally in a NICU, but it wasn't until I was there as a mom that I truely understood how important the noise level was. The beeping of machines is constant, not sure if they can fix that one, but as you left the NICU at then end of an extremely stressful day with your baby you hear beeps and alarms in your sleep. Many babies are irritable those first few days or weeks in the NICU and every little noise or touch irritates them, it is hard on the family to see your baby in distress and not even be able to touch them to show them you are there. I think any way to limit the noise and caos in that stressful environment would be a wonderful improvement. After we got home from the NICU, my baby was so use to the noise that she wasn't able to sleep in a quiet home environment and we have to run a noisy humidifier as white noise so she is able to sleep. Good luck on your paper and your career choice in Peds or NICU, you will love it ) I know I do.

I agree to leave and not risk your license. It definately gets a lot better than that!! Please consider reporting the facility. As a compliance officer, it sure sounds like they are far out of compliance and putting their residents at risk. There are whistleblower laws that would protect you if you report them in good faith.

Infection Prevention week is Oct 16th-22nd. Are you doing any activities at your hospitals. I would love to hear your ideas. I am a new infection control nurse at a small rural hospital and would like to have a few fun/educational activities for the nurses and other staff of the hospital, clinic and nursing home. We have a door decorating contest and hand washing competition (using glo-germ and a black light) any other ideas? Thanks

Burn nursing is a very demanding field, but I worked with a nurse who was also a burn survivor, she was amazing and had a special connection with her patients that only someone who has gone through what those patients are going through can have. Go for your goal! It will be hard, but it will be worth it! Don't give up when the schooling or those first years get tough, there will be times you will second guess your choice of careers, but believe me the benefits and the good you will do to help so many outweigh all the struggles to get there!

I graduated as a RN at 19. I worked pediatrics so I was always older than my patients ) but some of the parents would ask if I was the CNA or even the candystriper. I looked young too and they would ask if I was 12, but I never had them complain about my work and I got along great with co-workers. I was made charge nurse at at 20. I don't think it is age that is important, it is competency

In Idaho there is no laws regulating OTC meds at school. Most schools do not have a school nurse and the secretaries are the ones handling all medication issues...including insulin. Yep it is scary, but it is the reality in many places now, especially with all the cuts in education funding. I will find out this month if I have a job for next year, which means the school district would once again be left with no nursing services. I want to have things set up so the secretaries can take care of the students in the safest most effecient way possible.

I am in the process of re-writing the medication policy for our school district and would like some input. We would like to add in the policy that students will be provided OTC medications such as Tylenol, Motrin and Cough Drops as long as they have a signed consent from parents. Does your school allow this? If so how is it managed. I am the only school nurse over 5 schools, k-12. The secretaries give out Tylenol without signed parent consents despite the current policy that states no meds will be given out unless a signed form is on file from the students parents and doctor we want to control this, but also do not want kids missing school for a headache or cough. Any input? Thanks!

I had a situation this year where the student started smelling like BM. I had never met the student and wasn't sure how to approach him without hurting his feelings. I called his Father before talking with him and learned that the student recently had started having accidents, both dad and student were not sure what was going on. I referred the student to be seen by his PCP where they learned he had encopresis, I was so glad I didn't just talk to the student. There was a lot more going on than just being stinky. Many times the parents need to be involved, if the kids stink hopefully their parents will help remedy the problem!

I started out working pediatrics, but I really wish I would've had some ER experience. Knowing first aid and triage skills would be beneficial. I think working a few years in any hospital setting is sufficient though. While working in the hospital you can try to get a job as a school nurse substitute, then you could get a feel for if it is really something you enjoy and it would look great on a resume. I also teach the CNA class at the high school, it ups the pay a little. It might be something you can look into, as long as you have CNA experience and work as an RN you could add teaching to your job description.

I set up "shop" with a small desk right outside the classroom and pull the kids out of their classroom two or three at a time to do vision screenings. It works really well with kindergarten, 2nd and 4th, but gets more complicated with the 6th grade because of their schedules.

They couldn't figure out where to put me when I started here either. I was told that it would be best if I did not have a contract! So I have no contract! They didn't want to put me on the teacher's contract because I don't fit well there, and there was no mention of an administrator contract. I've wondered how smart it is to work without a contract, they have just had a school nurse in this district for 4 years and I am the 4th nurse, there are a few bugs that need worked out ) Good luck, hope you can get an administrator contract. Let me know if you do, because maybe I need to be talking to the school board too.

I agree that handwashing with old fashion soap and water is the best policy. I also understand how hard it is to get all the kids to comply----and teachers too!! I would go with the hand sanitizer for the majority of the kids and see about having those that bring PB as their lunch wash up with soap and water. A bit of extra work for the teacher on lunch room duty, but we have a table designated for those that have peanuts in their lunch, so just that table would have to wash...... Good Luck!!!!!!

I teach the Certified Nurses Assistance Lab at the high school level, in addition to teaching as often as I can in the school district. At the elementary school I teach hand washing, dental hygiene, tolerance of others with disabilities. Middle School I teach the puberty class, and then a sex-ed class to the older kids. At high school I teach about sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy prevention. The teachers like to have someone else come in the classroom occasionally and I love to teach.

By being a member of NASN I have been able to help over 30 kids receive free eye glasses and exams, we have prescription discount cards for every student and staff member, one student received free dental work, including braces....the benefits are worth every penny of the membership fee!

Check for grants that will match funds. Our school district was super blessed to receive a grant for AED's for each school. It takes some searching online, but apply to everything you find and hopefully you can find some money. Good Luck on the Fund Raisers. Walk-a-thons work great, or a health fair where you can charge the vendors and ask for donations from the public, when they know the money can save a child's life they are more generous!