EllBowRN

In my small city it's about 60% street clothes/business casual 40% scrubs. I chose the former, I'm more comfortable this way and I'm already differentiated enough as the lone healthcare worker in the building.

I did a paper on Medication Errors in School Health when I was getting my BSN. There is basically NO research out there, and NO standardized approach to stop it. I agree w/ the other poster, it's every nurse's nightmare.

Middle School, about 750 kids - just me. We have a nurse leader in the city, and I am fortunate to have a buddy nurse who works at a different school across the street. We have floating health assistants who can pitch in for screenings or other busy times.

You are building those relationships one interaction at a time. If you're the only healthcare worker in the building you must be ready to be the lone voice sometimes. And you will not always be right, so you still need tact and diplomacy. You cannot rework the past, you can only be firm and in control for every student/staff interaction. In some ways it's simple, but not always easy.

I'm a new RN and have been a school nurse, starting with sub nursing, for about a year. FT at a middle school since last spring. Sub nursing was the best way to get my foot in the door, and a nurse leader who had met me (and gave me some great leads) hired me when she had an opening. All this with "only" an ASN (though I'm in school part time for BSN). I'm really lucky to have this job. The best part is the well patient population, the autonomy of having my own school, the stable hours, the school schedule, and the collaborative/team approach with the rest of the school. It's very predictable and regular, but no two days are the same. I enjoy the kids, teachers, and parents, but it is first and foremost a 'customer service' job -- if you're not happy about that you won't be a good fit, IMO. You've got to want to please the population and keep the ball in the air. Not much room for bad attitude if you're the only healthcare worker for several hundred people. The worst part is the pay.

One that I had a few times: How will you handle a situation when you're the only one who thinks _________ should be done. (In other words, how to handle when your clinical judgement is either unpopular or in dispute)