intheweeds

Obviously, you should check to see what your district guidelines are and abide by those, but when I first started in school nursing I found the Illinois school nurse handbook to be a really helpful reference (even though I am not in Illinois): Loyola...

I try to be as nice and keep it as light as possible if I see students one-on-one. I also try to keep it general, even if it just me and the student ("The teachers have noticed a lot of kids having hygiene issues in your grade, so we're speaking to s...

How deeply unfair. I certainly would not pay a dime back at this time. Hopefully you will hear from your union soon. I would consider quitting if I were you as well. On a side note, I get annoyed when per diem/part-time work is not "counted" toward...

This issue has weighed heavily on me lately. I am from an area of the country where many people take great pride in gun ownership and have a whole host of associations about family and country tied up in gun ownership. To a degree, I understand their...

I have JHS and HS kids. I also love the high schoolers. They are funny and fun. I agree with a previous poster, though, junior high aged kids can be tough. They are very needy, very emotional, and just old/smart enough to be a little manipulative if ...

My daughter is 3rd percetile. I'm aware and ped is aware and we're not worried. I wouldn't mind an 'FYI' letter or call AT ALL. We don't do BMI measuring at my school, but I think a letter stating something to the effect of "There may be many reasons...

So sorry. That sounds like an anxiety-provoking situation... while it's not so uncommon to have kids like this, having a principal that won't back you up makes it a much bigger deal. What happens with the kids when you're not at school--is there anot...

One of our custodial staff came to me today and told me she got cut yesterday while taking out my bathroom garbage. Apparently, she went to the principal after the incident and he cleaned it out with her and sent her on her way. Sigh. We have several...

So sorry to hear all of that. If I were you I would take a night, write down all of your concerns and the facts as you know them, meet with your nurse boss again, and then set up a meeting with your bosses again to address your concerns about your jo...

According to the CDC, it looks like flu is widespread here in New York. I haven't really been seeing it the office lately, though. I saw a bunch of respiratory illness with high fever in late winter and early spring. Despite having a flu shot, I had ...

Do you guys train staff on the AEDs at your school? Our principal has asked me to train staff on them but I have told him I am reluctant to do so. While ours are SUPER simple, and I'm sure I could give a basic training, I am not certified to train on...

Great job! What a difficult and scary topic to talk about with such little kids. I agree with what the other posters have said--make sure there are meetings with the parents, and all kids who are suspected of cutting should be referred to a mental he...

This happens probably once a month at our school. Sometimes it is pens. I also wash it, give a cool pack, etc. If the wound seems VERY painful or if the student claims it feels like there is something in there (that I can't even see), I call parents ...

I LOVE our teachers and staff, but some of your peeves really ring true! One to add: While I do let teachers have Advil from my stock supply, please do not abuse this! You do not need 8 Advil for your headache/back ache/cramps. It's not good for you...

Thanks so much for all of your input!!!

I am in the New York Archdiocese, and I second what Minnie said. We are all required as well, but the classes are relatively frequent so it is easy to schedule them. There is even an online listing and sign up. I would contact the higher-ups and see ...

Just wondering if anyone has experience with school exclusion for "walking pneumonia." An MD says it is safe for a kid to return to school tomorrow but I wonder... he was just diagnosed today.

Thanks for the input everyone! I often have trouble reaching doctors. Anyway, I had the parents ask the doctor to fax a note over. I also had the student come to my office and told him to come in if he feels unwell. He seems to be doing well :)

Hey--I am in New York City. I wrote my own handbook, but 90% of it relates to our computer system. If you PM me an e-mail I will send it to you, though. For protocols, I generally use this from Illinois: http://www.luhs.org/depts/emsc/schl_man.htm. ...

I was also thinking 24 hours on abx as well as modified PE. The MD did not write a note but supposedly just told the family that the student is 'fine to return to school.' We have no policies here except the ones I write...

Peds would be ideal, and ER is also good... potential employers look for this. Having said that, I am a school nurse after working on cardiac step-down and it's fine. I work with older children, so maybe that helps.

we are ms and hs, but we have one in the hall where the administrative offices are, one in the gym, and another one the PE coach takes to away games.

I feel for you. I was a wound care nurse when I was pregnant with my first child. NOT COOL.

I agree with what everyone posted, especially the ny school health services website! I found calling/e-mailing other nurses in similar schools really helpful too. We are private; when I started, I found these guidelines from the state of Illinois to ...

I can see that point of view, Heidi. Something to think about--it's not in my manual. I definitely don't do any major intervention, just maybe gently try to turn a wire that is already sticking out away from the cheek. I won't touch something that's...