GrapeRN

I am in a smaller school.. under 300 kids but high % of kids with special needs/Autism. My district has an RN in every school and a health aide at the high school/middle school level.

Started a little over a year ago, in that time: 1. Severe fracture requiring 911 transport 2. Student with stroke-like symptoms- difficulty talking, one sided numbness, weakness (parents live across the street so they took her to hospital- turned out to be migraine) 3. One epi pen (actually had to give this on a field trip in the middle of the night- scary- called 911 and good outcome) 4. One possible peanut ingestion- no reaction (not really emergency but could have quickly turned into one) 5. Staff member with swelling of airway due to insect bite 6. Multiple asthma attacks, one severe with no inhaler at school- mom got here within 5 min to administer inhaler & took student home after stable 7. Seizure (non-emergency, student had IHP in place) 8. Large contusion near groin from student falling on monkey bars- student went to urgent care and referred to ED for CT scan- good outcome 9. Multiple concussions- follow up care important 10. Multiple sprains/strains/possible fractures- early communication with parents is important- do not need to be picked up but stress that you do not have Xray vision and they must follow up if pain/swelling/tenderness persists. Never say it is or it isn't broken- we do not diagnose. Sorry this was long, but these are the top 10 "events" that I learned the most from this year. Hope this helps!

I was not expecting much, but got flowers, THREE nice cards, chocolate, a Kohl's gift card ($50) and a Babies R Us gift card (I'm currently pregnant). I had to choke back tears.. what great motivation for finishing off the year in a good mood! To those of you who didn't get anything- I agree with the send yourself flowers next year.. make a big spectacle out of it so it's never forgotten again

This is also my first year as an elementary school nurse. We have had ongoing lice since the Fall- there is no end in sight. I have come to terms that it will always be a problem as long as the parents do not properly treat it. I have educated extensively, even given free lice kits, but that's about all I can do. Try not to stress over it- there are way bigger issues to focus on!

Also want to add... I tried taking a break in the faculty room once and got bombarded with nursing questions (my mom is in the hospital with xyz, what do you think?).. so it was not really a break. I would much rather use my 30 minute break to walk.. I get alone time & I don't feel "cheated" out of my break!

http://www.aspamerica.com/_resources/common/userfiles/file/Airpurge%20Published%20Info/Peripheral%20intravenous%20infusion.pdf

Like many of you, I eat at my desk. Lunch/recess is the busiest time, so I will usually eat either early before lunches start or after the last recess ends (1:15). Because I think it is important to get out my office daily, I take a walk every afternoon (a few laps around the inside of the building) during my slowest time, around 2-2:30. Each lap takes only a few minutes, so I am back to my office within 5 minutes if I have a "visitor." I have been in SUCH a better mood at work since I started walking.. I wear a fitbit and almost always get to 10,000 steps. It also allows me to see the kids who were complaining of stomachaches and headaches jumping around in the halls.. good ammo for when they come back!

FF: "My (insert body part here) hurts from (insert nonexistent week old injury here)." Me: "So what has your mom/dad/grandma been doing it for it at home?" FF: "Nothing." Me: "Well, it seems like that's working!"

I always do. Your time is valuable and unfortunately a lot of that time is spent checking heads. I look at it as job security- at the end of the year I submit a report with all my visits to the state. Hope this helps.

This happens to me all the time (usually from the same 1 or 2 teachers). Usually it is end of the day headaches. I explain to the student (elementary) & teacher that I will not give them medication right before getting on the bus as I will not be able to assess how they react to it. Also, a lot of parents don't answer their phones & have no voicemail, so how will I be sure they don't get another dose of Tylenol right when they get home. Explaining this helps somewhat, but it still happens. Very annoying.

I feel your pain. I spend SO much time & energy on lice, and it is really frustrating when there are real issues to deal with. I started last year in a school where classroom-wide checks and panic ensued when one child had lice. After a lot of education (and re-education) I finally have *most* teachers on board that no, every child does not need to be checked every time a child has lice. That being said, I am in PA where we exclude for lice. I really wish they would change that law, but I also know it would open a whole other can of worms! Hang in there!

I squirt the sunscreen into the child's hand and they apply it (only for field day and outdoor camp). My school is in a very low income area, and many students do not have sunscreen at home. The benefits outweigh the risks to me.

awesome Jen! Thank you very much!

Thanks everyone. I did speak with the physician and have specific info on this child as far as my care goes. Was looking more for resources to give to teachers- how to prevent infection, handwashing, etc. I want staff to know the importance of this without giving away too much information on the child. Thanks to all!

Hello all, I have a new student entering kindergarten next year who had an organ transplant a few years ago. Does anyone have a care plan or other resources (educational materials for teachers, etc.) for immunosuppressed students? Anything would be helpful. Thank you!