Preparing school nurse office from the ground up...need ideas!

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Well, after much appreciated input from this supportive community, I accepted the position at a smaller rural school. Money wasn't a factor initially, but it did end up playing into my decision.

So here are the details so far. There are two campuses (k-4 & 5-8). I will be setting up an office on each campus (NO SINKS OR TOILETS in the office, but will be strongly pushing for sinks at least).

If you can take a minute to think of everything I will need to have on hand, even documentation systems (I'm starting from zero), how you manage records best, how you store meds in a small offices, and any other tips or ideas you can give. If you post and think of something later, please come back to post more. I truly appreciate any support, help, ideas, and tips from the awesome school nurses here.

I did find a school nurse conference near my area that I do plan to attend, and hoping to meet some resources/contacts there as well. I tend to be an over-doer, but I want to make sure it's as perfect as it can be. I need to show the school that the position is worth their investment, so they'll continue to keep it in place.

Oh, about how long do you think it would take to set up from zero to go? Is 10 days enough? That's what the superintendent mentioned, but we are to talk more later. I'm thinking at least a month, but I'm also thinking about preparing records, policies, etc.

I'm working full time now, but may leave my job earlier than intended in order to best prepare for this.

Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Another thing to think of. Will you have "stock" medicine with standing orders- ibuprofen, tylenol, cough drops, etc? or will you only have what meds. parents have provided. I have been in schools with it both ways. I honestly prefer to have only what parents have sent and no "stock meds." This cuts down on a lot of generally unneeded student visits.

A Sink is absolutely essential, and I would push for a bathroom.. you don't want sick kids to have to walk all the way across campus to go. You will need a fridge for medications, and cabinets that lock for meds that do not need to be refrigerated. Also you will need a bunch of chairs and recovery couches (cots/beds), with privacy curtains, I have 4 chairs and 3 beds.

I use AERIES here at my school, and I love it very much. Its not only for me, but for the front office, counselors, attendance office, admin, teachers.. etc. So if they were looking for a more comprehensive system that they could get everyone on, that would be helpful, I think. Its super easy to navigate and all their info is there. I also have a wall of file cabinets for their paper health folders.

Impelement policies on fevers, and communicable diseases. Also very important, make sure that when kids enroll that they have their parents sign a health problems/history form, as well as a consent form in case the child needs to go to the hospital.

Create letters home, such as: requesting medication orders for students with health issues; head injury caution forms with s/s of concussion on it for monitoring at home, etc.

I just dumped a bunch of stuff from the top of my head.. if I think of more I will come back.. Sorry if it seems disorganized and odd in wording! Good luck!

Thank you so much! yes, please add more if you think of anything! Does the med fridge require a lock as well?

Does your state have a State School Nurse Consultant? If so, make contact with that person. When I first started, I was glued to this resource- Manual for School Health Programs that is put out by Missouri. Here is the link Guidelines & Publications | School Health | Health & Senior Services . If your state doesn't have such a thing, at least it can be a guide for you.

Here is the link to a page that has a lot of different resources that would be great as a guide for you- Guidelines & Publications | School Health | Health & Senior Services

As far as immunizations- I was so overwhelmed to try to figure out if every student was in compliance- I had a person from the state to come in and do an audit of the immunization records. I just had to know exactly where I was starting from with the immunizations.

I also went to a training for new school nurses/office staff, also done by the state. I highly recommend that if you have such an opportunity. It made it much easier, as all of us there were very new to School Nursing. To show how things can come full circle- I have been asked to be on the staff of this same training this summer! :)

sooo helpful! thank you!

Another thing to think of. Will you have "stock" medicine with standing orders- ibuprofen, tylenol, cough drops, etc? or will you only have what meds. parents have provided. I have been in schools with it both ways. I honestly prefer to have only what parents have sent and no "stock meds." This cuts down on a lot of generally unneeded student visits.

no stock meds, and only able to administer meds with a doctor's order (even OTC meds).

An under the counter fridge should be sufficient. In nearly 3 decades, i have only used it to store liquid antibiotics, insulin and probiotics. A lock should not be necessary for these meds.

So happy for you with this new challenging and exciting opportunity!

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

A sink is a must. You can purchase a portable one on schoolnursesupply. As well a fridge is a must as well. My system of files is basically my school is K-8, kinda like yours. I have a drawer tower with 4 drawers that have 1-2 grade on one, 3-4, second, 5-6, third and 7-8 last. As well a kinder file with a half drawer, with a two drawer tower. I also have a portable medicine cabinet with lock, each with names.

Specializes in Pediatric.

This was my first year as a school nurse. I manage the whole district PK-12. I am it except a PRN when I need her.

ORGANIZATION!!!! Both my offices had files from the 1990's. I know that's not an issue with you but if it's not necessary don't keep it.

I placed all my files by class, then alphabetical order. Its easy to grab a whole class and transfer up or pull 12th out.

We use our local health dept for a lot. They offer free clinics and such here. It's nice.

I use always for all my puberty info. I also have the EPI which is great.

Also look into your local churches and businesses. We have a lot here that donate needed items.

Stay on top of your vaccinations. You may also ask your local colleges, if they are close, and see if they have any programs like nursing that can send their students out for a screening day. I started out pretty much on my own, but I learned a lot more that way.

Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.
New York State Center for School Health / Homepage Best web site ever! They are for NY but have lots of very useful information. Also, if possible, get a fridge with a separate freezer, you will find ice packs to be very useful in many situations. As the others said, you need a sink. Do not budge on this. Good luck :)
Specializes in Pediatric.

Something else. Here we have to go in front of the board and just summarize whats happened in the health dept and what the future plans on. We document on the computer and will print before we go. It shows every kid I have seen and for what. It shows that I am very needed here when I average 12 visits daily. Document everything.

Something else. Here we have to go in front of the board and just summarize whats happened in the health dept and what the future plans on. We document on the computer and will print before we go. It shows every kid I have seen and for what. It shows that I am very needed here when I average 12 visits daily. Document everything.

I plan to document everything!! Great advice!

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