Cackalacky

Another ridiculous reason: Stinky gas - no stomach ache, no need to use the bathroom. Just passing stinky gas...

I just read through all of these, and wow, thanks guys! I haven't been on all year because this year has been crazy for me, but this thread has been an awesome reminder that I'm not alone! One visit I remember right off hand: Kindergarten teacher: "He says he can't see. Can you re-check his vision?" Me: Rechecks vision - he passes perfectly. "Why can't you see in class?" Kinder student: "My friend sits in front of me." If teachers would just ask basic questions...

I'm a lot like kenderella89. I wear scrubs to stand out as an adult, not a student, and a nurse. I have 7 schools, so parents, students and staff recognize the scrubs as being the school nurse. I wear business attire on non-student days. When I go out in public without my scrubs, the students double take when they see me but don't quiet recognize me without my scrubs.

I have carpet at one of my schools and it disgusts me! The whole school use to be carpet, but they tiled the halls last summer. When they decide to tile the health room I really hope I don't have to be at the school for a few weeks because I don't want to even THINK I'm breathing in all that grossness. The janitor and I dab up the blood the best we can and she puts absorbent powder on vomit to be vacuumed up. Then, during the summer they use a steam cleaner on all carpeting. We don't put anything on the floor to protect it, so I'm interested to know if there is anything to put on it.

If you don't have a school doctor - we work through the county health department doctor.

I didn't get the chance to unstick him because his friend yanked him off the pole. I then dealt with the aftermath of that!

Today is our last day!!! I work through the summer, but hey, that's a totally different pace.

Yeah, I found it on a page when I was looking for ideas. Swimming The reason I included it in my presentation is because of the risk of choking. I just imagine a child taking a deep breath to go underwater or laughing and then choking. Maybe I just worry too much about that... but I just imagine no one noticing the child choking because they're unable to communicate except for splashing the water which could be mistaken as playing.

That's about all I taught for outside safety. I was just a little more detailed on the swimming- Never dive unless an adult says it's deep enough (or if there is a diving board). Never swim and eat or chew gum. Stay in shallow water if you're not a good swimmer. Wear your PFD at all times when on water equipment. Wear swim shoes in water your can't see through (lakes and ponds). Don't drink the water people swim in! I guess that depends on how detailed you want to be. I could be more detailed because it was taught as a class.

Someone else recently asked this question. You can take a look at those responses too. https://allnurses.com/school-nurses/junior-high-opinions-817526.html

I'm not sure how well this answers your question, but I was recently looking at NP schools and I didn't feel completely discouraged because of my experience. Many applications allow essays which is a great place to explain the knowledge and experience you have. Also, I noticed the applications asked how many years you've been an active RN, not so much what specialty. Take a look at the schools you want to apply to and see what you think. Also, maybe you could get to know the faculty and let them know just how smart you are and what your goals are. I was taught in school and by nurses on allnurses that skills can be taught, and change from unit to unit anyway. Many nurses know that, and I'm sure faculty do because they're the ones who have to teach them, and understand nursing is more than tasks.

I'm telling a little girl's mom that she needs to go home and the little girl asked if she could talk to her mom. I passed her the phone and she says, "Mama, can you pick me up after lunch? They're serving..." Haha And most kids beg to go home! Then, this little cutie walks in with a tummy ache and I'm asking him the usual questions and we call his mom. Mom isn't able to pick him up at the moment so he's resting on the sick bed. I ask him one more time, why does your tummy hurt? He gets a huge grin, giggles, and says, "Because I don't want to be at school." I love when they're honest.

I haven't read any of these books, so they've all made it to my list and I've been looking to see if anyone else has responded. :)

4 more Fridays!!! (19 school days, 26 days total)

I was thinking the same thing JenElizabethRN! I wouldn't even look at all, because I can't diagnose anything and even if I did have reason to believe she had scabies, she would have to go to her doctor for treatment anyway. So, just by pass the nurse and have her doctor check.

WOW! I'm wary about even asking a student to lift their shirt so I can see their back or abdomen!

Your office can become a little ER, so no matter how many nurses you have to call, sometimes you have to make a fast decision. Some of those decisions you have to make over the phone with the school because you're at another school. Experience would definitely save me some confusion, frustration and stress, definitely not all though. This is hard work! :)

I completely agree with the above posters. I wish I had more experience before diving in. It also depends on the support you'll have though. I'm a new grad with only a couple of months experience from the psych unit before becoming a school nurse, but the school nurses here work with the county, so I have a lot of nurses to call if I ever need help. My state doesn't require a school nurse certification though, so I'm not sure if the certificate would effect whether or not you should jump in head first. GL!

In my opinion, I don't believe there needs to be a call home unless she's causing herself to have frequent nose bleeds. It sounds like it disturbs the teacher more than it does the student, but some students have gross habits and there isn't much that can be done about it. I had a student sent to me because he sniffs his nose too much and the teacher didn't like it... I did call the parents and they have seen a doctor about it and there is nothing that can be done. If bullying is involved because of the habit I would bring in administration to handle that part. That's definitely just an opinion though.

Someone posted on a previous board that Kotex will send a box of pads. Otherwise, I just supply the PTA with a package of pads to make kits for the girls and the PTA usually buys travel size deodorants for the boys. Hotels will also sometimes donate hygiene items. Maybe even check with local dentist about dental kits.

The teacher usually invites me in to provide a class about hygiene, because it's often not just one student struggling with poor hygiene. Other times, when it is just one student, the teacher approaches me and I ask her/him to contact the parent. I feel that this is appropriate because the teacher often already has some sort of relationship with the parent. I also remind the teacher that it's important for the parent to understand what you're seeing and smelling and how this is affecting the student in the classroom - I'm unable to accurately portray this because I don't interact with the student frequently enough. Once the teacher has made contact and if nothing has been resolved I'll call the parent and I'm straight forward with them. I get right to the point that their child does have an unpleasant odor and the teacher is concerned. I ask if there is a medical reason for this, I help the parent come up with possible solutions for the poor hygiene, and then I ask the parent if they would like me to present the plan to the student. Though, this is case to case, because I've also just called the student into my office and discussed with them the importance of changing clothes and bathing. I have done that if I know there isn't a way to contact their parents or if the odor is more occasional. I have had students with odors because of urination problems and bowel problems and I've helped girls understand that they need to change their pad more frequently.

It was actually another nurse in the district that handled the ordering so that we could make one bulk order for the district. She asked for what dose of EpiPen we needed in October and I received them in November. Maybe try giving them a call next week to try to confirm your order. Would your local health department be willing to help you with the standing order kenderella89?

I get free EpiPens with http://www.epipen4schools.com/ I also use Sight for Students to help with free eye exams and glasses from the NASN site. https://www.nasn.org/MemberCenter/VisionServicePlanVSPSightforStudents

I'm sorry you had to deal with that! I've definitely been yelled at and had harsh language thrown at me. I'm a new nurse too, and I catch myself doubting my abilities too often, but then I'm reminded that I'm a real nurse! Thank you nurseinsa! Lack of sleep is not an excuse to be rude, especially when you had no clue about her night shift. And being an experienced nurse is definitely not a reason to cut another nurse down! I actually got my job offer to be a school nurse after a 12 hour night shift and I had just fallen asleep. I accepted the offer and politely asked her to call back because I wasn't going to remember anything discussed until I had slept a couple more hours. I use to cry after a difficult phone call, but I found difficult phone calls are all too frequent to warrant crying every time. So now I just cry after the REALLY difficult phone calls, vent and then enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream! I'm slowly toughening up. :) I get yelled at for care plans and med forms and it may be even more frustrating when the parent is a nurse and just isn't willing to understand your position. Even though another nurse hasn't enforced the forms before now, you're the school nurse now and you have chosen to protect your license and follow protocol! - I've actually had to tell parents that I'm not sure why they haven't had to do something in the past, but I'm the school nurse this year and it needs to be done. Good luck!!!

I was told that you will have a great immune system in no time. I'm still waiting for it and I'm in my second year! Maybe it takes the lucky three! The best advice I could have ever been given was to not let students use your phone, but if there is no other option have sanitizing wipes readily available to keep it wiped down along with anything else in your office students can touch. The friends thing - I still have problems with that. When I see another nurse I become Chatty Cathy and it's sad to have to wrap up the conversation. I make it through by looking at this board often, talking to the secretaries that are friendly and monthly staff meetings with the other school district nurses. Also, play some Pandora in your office. It seems to help. When kids are in my office I like to play Disney on Pandora. I thought I had made a mistake too! I left the world of psych nursing, which I still miss, but I definitely do not miss the 12 hours shifts!!! Now that I've made it through my first school year and I'm almost done with my second, I'm thinking I could really fit in here. It takes time to get settled it, but it can happen. Good luck!