Sub nurses?

MHDNURSE · Nov 16, 2016

I am at a charter school so we are our own "district" so to speak. No subs. I have never called out, though if I did I am sure they would survive. I covered for the nurse at our high school for one week in August for an hour a day just to pass out meds. I went in the day before so she could show me the computer, the med keys, etc. It would be nice to have a sub, though b/c my school is small, I don't think they would justify the cost.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Nov 16, 2016

I was a sub nurse a couple of years ago prior to becoming full time. I did not chart in the computer system, only on a paper "nursing assessment" form, therefore my orientation was following each nurse for two hours at their designated school. Usually during their busiest, or high procedure times.

This worked for the most part, but I didn't know all of the in's and out's of things but usually the office staff was very helpful because it was a "help me or do it yourself" type thing. :)

iggywench, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2016

We have sub RNs for our district, but with 58 schools, there isn't always coverage in case of an absence, especially if it's one that is not planned in advance. Our district has hired an LVN this year who can float where needed, so she can sometimes cover schools in case of an absence. As of last year, our subs were trained and have access to our EMR, so nurses don't have to spend their first day back entering all of the clinic passes from while they were out. I have an aide in my clinic from 10-2, and she is trained on all procedures (none require an RN license). Also, my secretary is trained to pass meds, and if all else fails, there is another school across our parking lot, and that nurse could come over if needed. It's not a perfect system, but it works well for us.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 16, 2016

My sub is my wife, I have oriented her to SNAP and our protocols. It also helps that we discuss the students that come in daily, so she knows routine. I would think that if your district has protocols and digital charting, the orientation has to be a little longer. Those new to school nursing should be given an observed shift to make sure they can handle it on their own. A good orientation will help retention.

AdobeRN · Nov 16, 2016

We have subs for our district - 68+ schools. OUr list is very small though - only about 20 RN's. In the past there was not any type of orientation - if a new sub was going to work for you they would come into the clinic for an hour or so to see how to work the software program.

This year we started to have a little orientation for them - our nursing coordinator made up a binder with all kinds of info, policies, phone numbers etc. They would then spend a couple of hours with a nurse in the clinic going over the software program, flow of the day, answer any questions etc. No formal orientation though.

DEgalRN · Nov 17, 2016

I work at a charter school and we have a list of subs that we call, and then if none of them can come in we're contracted with a sub agency. I don't do an orientation but I do have a sub information book. I've only called out twice. Once last year, and once this year, and they barely survived, so I try and avoid it if I can!

kummerspeck · Nov 23, 2016

On top of my part time school nurse position, I sub for my district. I think I am one of about maybe...4-6. We have 18 schools. Some of our subs won't go to all the schools. :yawn: Our district pays sub nurses a pittance, so they have a horrible time getting subs. We do have a float nurse, though, so that helps a little. I took the initiative to volunteer with a few nurses before starting to sub, and we made sure I was up on the computer system prior to my first day. But really, you could walk into my district as a new sub nurse and never been in a school before, and that's a little....awful.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2016

I work at a charter school and we have a list of subs that we call, and then if none of them can come in we're contracted with a sub agency. I don't do an orientation but I do have a sub information book. I've only called out twice. Once last year, and once this year, and they barely survived, so I try and avoid it if I can!

Same. I only take a planned day of if I can get my regular sub in. She is a nursing school friend with a flexible schedule and she did come in for an afternoon to train with me before she subbed in (most of days I've ever had "off" were for me to complete my sex educator certification).