school nurse advice?????

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Hi i just got a school nurse sub postion, i went to school for medical assistant in 2007, and theres no training, Is there any advice you nurses can give me???

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Hi there! I work as a school nurse substitute . I am an RN. It's a lot of first aid, judgement and patience .when working with children they need a soft hand . Depending on the school there are medications. Some schools may have a diabetic child that needs glucose monitoring. A lot of first aid, cuts, bumped heads, and a lot of children not feeling well. Your job to decipher which kids can be coaxed into going back to class and which are needing to be sent home. Some days are busy, some less.

I enjoy it, and it typically isn't too stressful in comparison to a hospital setting.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

As a medical assistant, I would run like crazy from this position. Do you truly want to take on the responsibilities and LIABILITIES of a nurse when you are not a nurse?

Apart from asking questions on the Internet, how will you even begin to comprehend all that will be required to safely provide health maintenance and emergency care of children? Even if you do receive Internet forum advice, how will you know that it's reliable?

I don't mean this harshly, but think about it: You can't even take out a policy to protect yourself - you wouldn't qualify as a medical professional with a license to protect.

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Are you a nurse?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

If you are not a nurse, then your position is not that of a school nurse, but probably a health aide. The terms, "nurse" and "school nurse" have specific meanings and are legally protected in many states, to be used only by those holding the required educational and licensing credentials.

Health aides do not practice independently, but are supervised by licensed nurses. Your nursing supervisor should be your primary source of information, including policies and procedures. Your building principal may be able to provide some guidance as well.

Many states require specific training and demonstration of competence prior to administration of medications and treatments by non-nurse personnel in the school setting. Your state Board of Nursing should have information on its website, as well as the name and contact information of a person to whom you can direct questions.

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Specializes in kids.

I would be very careful NOT to identify yourself as a "school nurse" or "Substitute school Nurse"

if in fact you are not an RN or an LPN

You will get in all kinds of trouble!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hi i just got a school nurse sub postion, i went to school for medical assistant in 2007, and theres no training, Is there any advice you nurses can give me???

I think you need to find a mentor at you place of employment. But I also think you need to be careful about calling yourself a "school NURSE" There are many states that have actual legislation that protects the title NURSE and make it a misdemeanor punishable by law for those who use the title without the proper schooling and licensing.

Title "Nurse" Protection

Background

Restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those individuals who have fulfilled the requirements for licensure as outlined in each state's nurse practice act is a protection for the public against unethical, unscrupulous, and incompetent practitioners. Nurse practice acts describe entry level qualifications such as education, practice standards and code of conduct for continued privilege to practice nursing. Limiting use of the title "nurse" to only those who have satisfied the licensure requirements ensures the protection the public deserves.

At least 37 states are known to have language in their Nurse Practice Act; either explicit in restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those who are licensed or implicit language restricting use of any words implying the individual is a licensed nurse.....

AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, KS, KY, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY

Title "Nurse" Protection

For example......

Arkansas 17-87-104. Penalty

(a)(1) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to:

(D) Use in connection with his or her name any of the following titles, names, or initials, if the user is not properly licensed under this chapter:

(i) Nurse;

(ii) Registered nurse or R.N.;

(iii) Advanced practice nurse or A.P.N., or any of the following:

(a) Advanced registered nurse practitioner, A.R.N.P., or A.N.P.;

(b) Nurse anesthetist, certified nurse anesthetist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or C.R.N.A.;

© Nurse midwife, certified nurse midwife, licensed nurse midwife, C.N.M., or L.N.M.; or

(d) Clinical nurse specialist or C.N.S.;

(iv) Registered nurse practitioner, N.P.,or R.N.P.;

(v) Licensed practical nurse, practical nurse, or L.P.N.;

(vi) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse, psychiatric technician nurse, L.P.T.N., or P.T.N.; or

(vii) Any other name, title, or initials that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is licensed under this chapter

I do not know what state you live in and most, non-medical, employers will not tell you....for they do not know the law. For your own protection.....check with the state you live in for I would hate to see you get in trouble.

Congratulations on the job!

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Specializes in Pedi.

As others have said, you can't be a school nurse if you are not a nurse.

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I gotta ask the same question: If you're not an LPN or RN, therefore not a "nurse", how can you be a "school nurse"?

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Specializes in kids.

Where is the op?

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