Published May 12, 2021
scrscr
2 Posts
Hi-
I work in a non-public school in NJ as a school nurse. I work through an agency and my supervisor is not a nurse. Where can I get clarification on policies and procedures specifically for non-public school nursing in the state of NJ. I looked online and could only find for public schools.
I specifically need to know policies around giving medications. In absence of the school nurse is the administrator allowed to give meds with doctors and parents written permission or not? It seems different non-public schools have varying policies about this. I would like to clarify.
Thanks so much
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,678 Posts
There must be a set of rules governing private and independent schools? They must all have someone to answer to, I would think?
BrisketRN, BSN, RN
916 Posts
Not in NJ but at a private school. We are required to follow all of the same medication administration policies as public schools. Contact your state dept of health and school board of education. Maybe check out NJ Association of School Nurses website? They look to have a lot of links and resources.
Flare, ASN, BSN
4,431 Posts
I believe that non public schools are still held to the same regulations regarding medication administration as public schools. They can be found at https://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/title6a/chap16.pdf
generally speaking, the only people permitted to give medications within a school are:
the school nurse, school physician, or a sub nurse
the parent or legal guardian
the student if self admin orders are written for permitted medications (epi, inhaler, insulin and I believe *solucortef)
delegates trained to give epi, glucagon, or *solucortef (*this is a new law with less than adequate guidance, shocking, I know...)
An administrator is not legally permitted to administer meds. And all meds, including otcs require a written order specifically for the school. So the label on the bottle of antibiotics is not a permissible substitution.
In cases of residential programs, there are provisions for staff to administer medication, but I don't believe that falls under the DOE regulations; I think that's under a different entity. I worked in a private sped school years ago that also had a residential program. The people that lived and stayed with them in the housing were able to administer medications during their non-school hours.