peacockblue

My. Ingest problem with down time is that I could do nothing for hours (n the second I leave the office, someone needs toileted. Or they are paging me on the walkie asking where I am. I think there is a senser on my chair!

I don’t do a ton. I do have my “The Witch is In” sign on my door. Come to think of it, I could leave that up all year!?plus, I’m in a high school so I have a cool ceramic pumpkin and ghost a couple of the kids made me. I like lots of twinkle lights around Christmas.

Always appreciated your wisdom. Glad you are well.

In Pennsylvania, none of my experience counted. Seventeen hospital years and I started on step 1. It was worth it though.

That’s great! You were often so worried about the responsibility in your old position. This sounds like a place where you can use your skills and shine! Best to you.

To the best of my knowledge, we have never declined a 504 plan that was requested. Perhaps that is why we have so many?

Your job is to keep the kids safe. That is first. All the other things are important too, but that will come in time. You are not qualified to write IEPs and you should have input on 504s but not write. Make sure you are following your medication policy and your teachers are aware of any significant medical problems. Don’t worry about supplies. You will find out what you want to order next year. Are there other nurses in your district you can get advice from? If not, how about networking with nurses in a neighboring district? Don’t change any forms or documents this year. Just use whatever the last nurse used. next year you can start changing things to your liking. I’m sure this group will give you good advice but that is what I can think of for now. Oh, and don’t let the guidance counselor tell you what your job is. You are the nurse, not her.

Our district has 2 Certified School Nurses as is required by Pennsylvania state law. (1:1500) all of our other nurses are RNs who are listed as nurse aids. It is a way to keep them in the support union and pay them way less and give them lesser benefits. It is shameful in my opinion. This is how most of the local districts operate. Because the CSNs are in the teacher union and make teacher wages.

I don’t write any of them. I don’t even have input anymore, our director of special ed does that. The problem is, they are not kept up with. I am in high school and have some that have not been reviewed since elementary school. Yet, I am responsible for housing them and getting the information to the teachers. It is very frustrating.

Who is responsible for getting the 504 plan info to teachers? Who writes and updates them? This process seems to get more overwhelming every year. I have a small high school of less than 700 but I have 38 plans and getting it all organized is hard. Ideas? Tips? Right now, I make a paper list of each teacher that has the student. I attach that to the front of the plan. I then email a copy to the teachers but they have to come to my office to sign off. This is how my principal wants it done but I think he would be open to a better idea if I came up with one.

Congratulations on getting the help you need. I take antidepressants. It has never come up or been an issue. In fact, if they got rid of all the nurses on antidepressants, there would be a huge nurse shortage ?. Antidepressants such as SSRI’s do not impair you and I really don’t think it would be a problem.

In the hallway between the main office and the guidance office. A perfect location, really.

Our students are allowed phones at all times so of course that extends to the health office. They also have iPads that they carry at all times.

I have been in school nursing for 17 years. When i started, K kids were potty trained. This is less and less the case. In my schools these kids get sent to the nurse. We have tried to change things but without luck.

Our K9 and his handler are no longer allowed to visit our elementary schools due to a parent complaint. considering allergies, I would think many students and myself come to school covered with dander and could cause a reaction. It's not like peanut butter I can wash off my hands.

You did everything right! Great job. Responding to Amethya: I have seen kids with dilated pupils from meds they were on. But in this case, I would assume head injury and let the ER sort it out. We just don't have the tools to make the determination.

I think part of the problem is that the kids constantly have their phones on them. Most of the kids I see have already texted their parents before they get to me. And so many times, I have sent a kid back only to have their parent call me and say that the kid is blowing up their phone to go home so they might as well come get them so they can have some peace. Who is the boss here?

1. What State are you in? Pennsylvania 2. Do you have a nursing supervisor, or a non-nursing supervisor?non nursing. Super is my principal 2a. If you do NOT have a nursing supervisor, where do you go for direction when questions such as legalities etc. arise? There is a state school nurse consultant but their advice still has to be run by the principal and he may or may not agree. 3. Are you on a teachers contract? Yes 4. What kind of eval system is used for your evaluations? Tower Metrix which is what is used for the teachers. 5. Are you required to be certified by your state's department of education? yes.

It varies from state to state. We cannot give in Pennsylvania without a doctors order and we also cannot delegate to a UAP. Makes field trips interesting.

The big deal is that it violates our nurse parctice act. We can not prescribe or dispense medicine. Just like a nurse could not give an OTC med to a hospital patient, we cannot give meds without MD orders.

Welcome to the group! I complain a lot but I love my job. The beginning of the year is taken up by immunizations and 504 plans. In my state, Pennsylvania, we have to do heights, weights and vision on every student, every year and hearing on K-3, 7&11. So that takes a lot of time. I did almost 20 years of hospital nursing, mostly med surg. I'm primarily in the high school. I see lots of emotional stuff. It's a different world than the hospital because nursing is kind of a necessary evil in the world of education. Look around the school nursing board here and you will get an idea of our daily routine as well as our pet peeves. Good luck!

My school district is also a frequent head check, no not district. My print outs from AAP, CDC, NASN, etc we're actually thrown into the trash in front of me and I was told, "no nits " I'm at the high school so it's not a huge issue but at the elementary level, we have had kids miss 2+ weeks of school. They won't budge.

I try to get to the bottom of it-do they work super late? Are they hungover? Are they avoiding a particular class everyday? Are they hungry? If I can't figure it out, I send them to guidance. Sometimes it is just class avoidance and there is not much I can do. If they are with me, they are not roaming the halls causing trouble. As long as the teacher guidance and admin know, I have done all I can. Fortunately, there are not too many students like that.

I do feel respected. The teachers at my school, for the most part are great. There are a few, of course... I feel like I am treated like an equal and respected. They don't really have any idea what I do and I don't think I could do their job! It took a few years, but we have a good relationship.

I am able to purchase with my budget, but often I get free products from playtex or Tampax. Look around and maybe you can find freebies.