1:1 School Nursing Questions

[newgradrn2016]

Hi all,

I'm a new grad and might be starting my career as a 1:1 school nurse. I signed up through an agency, and it seems a lot of their positions are 1:1. I was wondering what questions should I ask before I accept the position?

[gkvegan, MSN]

I would ask what kind of training they are going to give you. I would also ask what types of needs are you going to be dealing with. G-tubes, trachs, vents, etc. Personally I would not take a 1:1 position as a new grad unless you are very confident you can do what they are asking of you by yourself.

[BeckyESRN]

Maybe the home health section would have more insight. Most of us are the nurse for the whole building or district, not 1:1. The only time I've ever had a student with a 1:1 nurse, they were through the student's home health company.

[newgradrn2016]

But Ive already filed paperwork for the company. I havent had an assignment yet or been introduced to the school I would be working in. Is it too late to say I wouldnt take the position?

[rbytsdy]

As an agency nurse, you should be able to say yes or no to an assignment. However, most will train you for whatever kind of medical issue you are working with. We had a student with a 1:1 nurse at my school. The child had a trach. In 2.5 years, the nurse had to whip out her equipment and give her oxygen once. Most of the time, she said in the classroom. I know some of her 1:1 nurses were LPNs.

[newgradrn2016]

I would ask what kind of training they are going to give you. I would also ask what types of needs are you going to be dealing with. G-tubes, trachs, vents, etc. Personally I would not take a 1:1 position as a new grad unless you are very confident you can do what they are asking of you by yourself.

I am a little nervous. They said they were going to give me a day of orientation (and more orientation if i need it). They really stressed wanting me to be comfortable since ill be in there by myself. Plus I will have number to call a very experienced RN if I need it. I believe I will be working with insulin pumps and g-tubes since they asked me how comfortable i was with them. They didnt mention anything about trachs or vents.

[newgradrn2016]

As an agency nurse, you should be able to say yes or no to an assignment. However, most will train you for whatever kind of medical issue you are working with. We had a student with a 1:1 nurse at my school. The child had a trach. In 2.5 years, the nurse had to whip out her equipment and give her oxygen once. Most of the time, she said in the classroom. I know some of her 1:1 nurses were LPNs.

The agency Im working with stressed that they want to make sure Im trained and comfortable. Which does makes me feel better. Plus, Ill do a lot of reviewing for the cases they usually see.

For the nurse in your post, did you mean she only had to give oxygen once in 2.5 years? Can I ask what lead up to the situation?