So frustrated.

Published

Specializes in School Nursing.

My admin is saying that I -have- to find face masks. I’ve found sites selling them for around $25 for 50. They said it’s too expensive. I’m about to cry from the frustration. I told them I cannot find them. They’re on back order and no one knows when they’ll be in stock. “We’re running out and we need to have them.”

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That is so frustrating. I know our school is panicking a bit, but I told them that masks just aren't available. The new CDC guidelines say that masks for school staff should not be respirators or surgical masks. So really what would be suggested is reusable cloth masks. Even so, I feel your frustration. I'm sorry they're trying to pawn this off on you. You can't control the nation-wide shortage of masks.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
10 minutes ago, BrisketRN said:

That is so frustrating. I know our school is panicking a bit, but I told them that masks just aren't available. The new CDC guidelines say that masks for school staff should not be respirators or surgical masks. So really what would be suggested is reusable cloth masks. Even so, I feel your frustration. I'm sorry they're trying to pawn this off on you. You can't control the nation-wide shortage of masks.

Unfortunately our school district can not afford thousands of cloth masks.

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30 minutes ago, SchoolNurse91 said:

Unfortunately our school district can not afford thousands of cloth masks.

Yes, it doesn't seem feasible for schools to afford all of the masks and precautions the CDC has recommended. I don't know how any of this will work.

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Specializes in School Health.
1 minute ago, BrisketRN said:

Yes, it doesn't seem feasible for schools to afford all of the masks and precautions the CDC has recommended. I don't know how any of this will work.

It is frustrating for me that I am trying to figure out what supplies to order for next year (besides the usual gloves, bandages, wipes, etc.) and honestly don't know where to begin because who knows whats going to happen between now and August. Masks are nearly impossible to find, Non-contact thermometers are hard to find.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

It’s all so frustrating. I have no clue what to do.

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Specializes in School Health.
1 minute ago, SchoolNurse91 said:

It’s all so frustrating. I have no clue what to do.

I promise you are not the only school nurse feeling that way. I feel most of us feel the same way you do. I just hope we have a better idea of what were going to be facing come the beginning of the new school year before we actually return back to prepare for the new school year.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
3 minutes ago, Keeperofbandages said:

I promise you are not the only school nurse feeling that way. I feel most of us feel the same way you do. I just hope we have a better idea of what were going to be facing come the beginning of the new school year before we actually return back to prepare for the new school year.

I think what makes me so upset is the administration basically telling me I have to come up with these masks. There is no other option. I’ve told them continuously that my hands are tied. I have no clue when these items will be in stock. They keep telling me that I have to find them.

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Specializes in School Health.
Just now, SchoolNurse91 said:

I think what makes me so upset is the administration basically telling me I have to come up with these masks. There is no other option. I’ve told them continuously that my hands are tied. I have no clue when these items will be in stock. They keep telling me that I have to find them.

I would either print or send a photo in an email of proof that the places you usually get supplies from are out of stock and you are unable to order them. I would make sure to keep a paper trail of your communication regarding face masks.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
1 minute ago, Keeperofbandages said:

I would either print or send a photo in an email of proof that the places you usually get supplies from are out of stock and you are unable to order them. I would make sure to keep a paper trail of your communication regarding face masks.

Oh, I have. They told me to check grocery stores and hospitals suppliers.. even though I’ve told them that I can’t order from a hospital supplier. I’ve called grocery stores to get prices and amounts, but they’re too expensive. I feel like I’m wasting my time doing this because I know they won’t pay those prices.

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Specializes in School Health.
1 minute ago, SchoolNurse91 said:

Oh, I have. They told me to check grocery stores and hospitals suppliers.. even though I’ve told them that I can’t order from a hospital supplier. I’ve called grocery stores to get prices and amounts, but they’re too expensive. I feel like I’m wasting my time doing this because I know they won’t pay those prices.

I'm not sure where you purchase supplies from but my school purchases most of my supplies from McKesson. I am not sure if they have any though.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
2 minutes ago, Keeperofbandages said:

I'm not sure where you purchase supplies from but my school purchases most of my supplies from McKesson. I am not sure if they have any though.

I’ve tried McKesson, SNS, MacGill, and school health

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