Windchaser22

2 months ago I put in for a day off in June. Our field day was just rescheduled for that day. Bonus!!

I would think the law trumps policy.

I put the NASN poster on my door. Won't do any good but I just had to. I might put my cap on the skeleton with thoughts of a meme like school nurses waiting for recognition.

I don't know how this big glob of home made slime got stuck in my hair.

Fell in goose poop.

This! I finally got fed up with kids coming FROM lunch that I had a chat with the aides and found out they were afraid someone MIGHT vomit. Kidsninhale their food and yes get stomachaches. I told them unless someone actually vomits, to stop sending me 20 kids per lunch period. Just stop. 49 days to go.

The schedule, for sure. Unlike any other job or profession, there is a start and end to each year with a boat load of time to reset in between. Everyone else drones on endlessly with the requisite 2 week vacation per year if your lucky, with no end in site. I know this from experience lol.

It mated with a flea. Now we have flice. It can jump 10' in any direction and stick to whatever it lands on with its hooked feet. I sense a movie coming.

And then are you expected to be "the nurse" for everyone at this school sponsored event? Where is the line drawn if the district is paying you as a school nurse attending the event? Just wondering...

What everyone else said...also, adding to privacy, students are nosey and don't need to know that Susie or Mike needs a med. Bullying is a big problem. No reason to give them a reason.

Yes, prior nurse was there for 15 years and the one before that from the 1950's. Last nurse had ancient pamphlets and triplicate information. I think my vision screener is an original lol. First year was tough, no one ever did electronic charting before or was used to being told no. Found records dating back decades that should've been archived. All good now.

Had a kindergartner today take a tumble in gym and insisted her gall bladder fell out.

Technically I report to the superintendent but in reality to my principal who is a most excellent boss lady.

I don't stock OTC's (except neo, aquaphor etc) and am slowly putting an end to cough drops. I do have standing orders but the parents are required to fill out an OTC form and bring the meds in if they want Tylenol, visine, etc. I have little kiddos so the thought process is I don't want to be the first time kiddo has brand X pain/fever med to find out they are allergic.

Might want to check this out http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/MCAH/Documents/Chapter2_%20TheRoleoftheProfessionalSchoolNurse_Updated2016.pdf

I have multiple dex coms and use a school provided iPad. Put my foot down about that. Was a non-issue when I told admin that if I had to use my personal phone then so did the kiddos teachers.

I precept students every spring. Don't forget your stethoscope. Ask about student to nurse ratios and what percentage have chronic illness and what they are (DM, asthma, allergies, seizures) any special cases like cardiac, genetic, CA, mental health etc. health plans, interesting meds. Practice BP's and lung sounds. Take notes! Have fun!

strongly recommend being an assistant first and/or subbing.

So far, knock on wood, relatively little flu. I put hand washing flyers all over the school, the web, and added a blurb to the am announcements as a reminder. Strep...whole other story. Tons of it. Already had the school deep cleaned last weekend. Temp check everyone who walks through the door.

This! How many of us wish we worked with OldDude? Thankful to have you at the nurses station.

I subbed prior to becoming full time as well. In my home district with 5 schools I spent two days orienting at each school on my own dime. In other districts I had a paid orientation. Take lots of notes as each school and school nurse are different and yes, just keep the plane flying. You'll be fine.

A quick search in AZ indicates the average school nurse salary is about 45K. So if you figure 185 days at 7 hrs per day it's $34 and change/hr

Fever with anything gets a ticket home. Crusty, oozing, purulent, spreading get a ticket home with a referral. For conjunctivitis I use a differential approach and take into account whether or not the particular kiddo has a hx of allergic conjunctivitis and what time of year it is. I think it's silly to exclude for bacterial when viral is more contagious and not excludable. If after my assessment the SS point to bacterial, I refer and kiddo must be picked up.

Immunizations and entrance into school physicals are state mandated. No one local is allowed in school if these are missing. The only exception is international or out of state students who have 30 days from enrolling (I get a provisional from the health dept). At the end of the allotted time the health department mandates exclusion. If a student is playing an intramural sport then a current sports physical along with info about concussions etc are also required prior to the first practice. Incomplete or missing forms equal no play, no exceptions. Yep, I'm the meanie.

My favorite from the run is "my legs hurt". Duh. Teachers, Stop sending me these kids.