School Nurse Newbie- help!

Published

Specializes in pediatrics/school nursing.

Hi! I will be starting a new position as a school nurse in a few weeks. I have been in pediatric nursing before in the doctor's office setting. I have not worked in five years, when I chose to stay home with my children. I'm now back in the game and want to freshen up my skills. Is there a book you would recommend for a quick refresher, or something specific on school nursing? Thanks in advance for any help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Kids today aren't any different now than they were 5 years ago. You'll be fine with them. Your challenge is gonna be the parents. Just smile and wave :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics/school nursing.

Ha!! Thanks. I guess I was curious if school nursing had any specific needs I should brush up on. Lots of ____ and _____. I'm confident in my experience I've just never worked in such a specific field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

This one OldDude-- But, sometimes, we have to do this :whistling: and always be prepared to do this a few times a day-- :sarcastic:. The last two responses are usually in response to parents and over-bearing teachers, but not usually our little snowflakes :)

Welcome CMH. Don't forget to wear pink on Wednesdays!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nurse.

A

This is the link to the New York State Center for School Health website; it's a good reference. (Used as an example, a lot of states have similar resources.) I also find the School Health Alert's "Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses" helpful with some of the scenarios that present in the office...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

The Georgia and CHOA School Health Resource Manual is also an awesome resource

School Nurse Resources | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Don't forget to check out your local School Nurses Organization and the NASN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our district is Mass also refers to School Health Alert's Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses Sixth Edition. It has an orange cover with blue writing on it. Good luck! I'm new too! I've gotten a ton of info on this forum.:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Psych.

Here are a few things for review: 1) anaphylaxis 2) seizures 3) asthma 4) food allergies 5) Type 1 diabetes 6) ADD/ADHD. Schools nurses often have to train staff in the use of Epi Pens and Glucagon. Many students don't use their rescue inhalers correctly, so it's a good nursing intervention to teach them the correct way. Management of student with diabetes/insulin administration. That's a start. Working in a pediatrician's office is a great background :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

Hi there! I'm a newbie also and just attended an orientation conference held by my state's school nurse association for new school nurses this week. They recommended a textbook called School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text by Janice Selekman. It's available on Amazon. It's huge! I'm not joking. It's by the far the thickest text book I've ever had but it covers EVERYTHING! The school nurses hosting the conference refer to it as The Bible. Anyway, I myself am a book lover and love having reference books for things so I am glad I bought it. I've been working in NICU for the last 3 years and am a little rusty regarding things like diabetes, asthma, seizures, etc. so I've just been working my way through those chapters. Good luck to you as you start this new career!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion