JDuff

Sorry.... the "simple form" didn't come out in my response. It was really just two columns on a piece of paper. Kind of like this: [Name] [Assessment, care given ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Hi there. You are going to love being a school nurse. It may seem kind of daunting at the beginning, but once you get organized and establish your own way of doing things it becomes much easier. The first thing I did after starting was going through and organizing everything the nurse before me left. Sometimes I discovered things that were useful to have later. I then made a place for everything I needed to have on hand; a place for student meds, emergency meds like epi pens, benadryl, glucose for diabetics etc. (in an easily accessible place). Also having the most used things in an easily accessible place is good too - like bandaids. I gave out a lot of ice packs wrapped in paper towel for recess "injuries," it was a healthy kind of placebo and it usually made the kids feel much better. I would made little bags during times kids weren't in the office and so when they all rushed in at recess I could have them at hand. The triage charting can be really simple. We had a simple form like this: [TABLE] [TR] [TD]Name [/TD] [TD]Assessment, care given [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD] [/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] All I did was write their name and what the assessment/story was, and then the care given. This was not the actual charting, but more of a reminder to me of each child so I could chart it into the computer later. So, for example, I would write: Jane Doe, scraped left knee falling on gravel, gave ice/bandaid. This way kids could come in a rush during recess or other high flow times and I could write little notes down to myself for a reminder later. Then during low flow times I would take the sheet in with me and chart it all into the computer, a little more in-depth, and cross off on the sheet all the things I've already charted. Something I've had to learn the hard way is to always write down their names and the issue; in the moment you think you can remember it but then unexpected things happen and you forget. Something that's really comforting to remember is that the parent is always the number 1 resource. Calling them and just making them aware promotes trust with the nurse, and often the parent will make the decision. If you are concerned about sending them home for something call the parent and tell them your assessment and what you are thinking, then ask them their opinion and desires about what to do. They also know their kids really well, and can tell you if extreme stomach pain is a normal thing for their child due to anxiety, or that their child is depressed because of a recent family death, etc. Sometimes everything just clicks into place when you get the parent involved. Some supplies that would be helpful to have are: 1) extra clothes, especially socks, underwear, and pants in various sizes. I was surprised how many kiddos needed extras because they had peed their pants, fell in a puddle during recess, etc. 2) Books: whenever a child complained of a stomach issue they always went for the books. These were also great tools for talking with kids and allowing them to open up to you. 3) Little plastic bags for ice and lots of little water cups 4) Sterile saline and eye wash cups if they get sand or something in their eyes; Benadryl (even if you cannot give this without Dr.s orders, you can always call the parent and do what they tell you to do); vaseline for chapped lips; little bags or containers for lost teeth (one nurse I know had a little poster on her door that the kids could sign their name if they lost a tooth). 5) A large filing system (whether cabinet or drawer or something) where you can have all paper forms for all the students. I also had a separate little file system that I kept on a table that had the most critical kids (diabetics, etc.) and their individual care plans. That way I had easy access to the really important, and most often used, documents. Personally, I think the careplans should differ based on the condition. So a diabetic could have a different looking careplan than a child with severe allergies to peanuts. The careplans 6) Hand sanitizer Here is a really good website for diabetic care plans; there is a download link at the bottom of the webpage: Diabetes Medical Management Plan - American Diabetes Association® Anyways, I hope I haven't overloaded you with information! Enjoy your time as a school nurse, it is really a wonderful place to start out and will give you such confidence in working independently as a nurse. I have always enjoyed it, and the kids will keep you laughing. ~JDuff