Sub Nurses

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For anyone who has subbed--what notes are helpful for a one-day assignment?

Specializes in Pediatric nursing: ED, forensic, neuro, triage.

I once subbed at a school where the nurse had created a notebook outlining when to expect certain children for scheduled meds (insulin, BG checks, scheduled snacks, tube feedings). In the same school, it would have been helpful to have notes about how to send a student back to class (pass?) and how to document injuries/falls (child came in bloody from falling off jungle gym). I had NO clue. And what she expected as far as documenting each little ill walk-in. She had a makeshift log book, but it was so busy I couldn't keep up with handwriting notes--I felt like I was back in triage in the ER... lol

1 Votes

We use nurse passes as a back and forth way to communicate they are duplicate so I keep a copy that is my documentation that someone has been to my office. I then enter what I need to in the computer program from that pass. I do the same thing when I have a sub. I also leave a list for the sub of the time and name of student who should come in for routine medication I also leave the extension of their home room teacher just in case they forget to show up. I have always been available to my subs via phone.

1 Votes

The subs usually write on the clinic passes carbon copies or if it is lengthy, they write on a piece of copy paper and leave it with yesterday's passes. Sometimes I even get an email.

1 Votes

I mean to ask what is helpful information to leave for subs. I have two new subs next week who are not familiar with our school/students.

I have binders of students with chronic illnesses/allergies, a list of who to call in the school with specific questions, daily med list along with the photo of the student (with access to paperwork from the doctor). Per our school policy they fill out the same paper charting I usually do for visits.

Specializes in medsurg/school nurse.

any sub login info

emergency medication location and what to do if it needs used

staff accident report (ours are electronic but I keep a paper copy for subs)

where do staff need to go if they need medical attention?

student accident report (ours are electronic but I keep paper copy for subs)

where is your AED

when/where should they take a lunch and is there someone trained to cover for them?

how do they look up where a student is in the building? how do they send a student back to class.

too sick for school guidelines

sounds like you have it covered. ask them to leave you a note on what would be helpful to leave for new subs in the future so you can fill in the gaps next time.

2 Votes
Specializes in medsurg/school nurse.

also leave them some medication forms and a copy of your schools medication policy in case a parent brings in meds while you are gone.

info on how and where to find your schools policies.

maybe put one of each rarely/less common used form or incident plan (even just a list of "call Nurse Xyz, CSN in Main St School if: . . .) in the binder because if something unusual is going to happen it's going to happen to a sub.

I'm talking animal bite reporting, substance abuse assessment- and tips on what it is (a medical assessment) and what it is not (a forensic investigation), if fate chooses that day for a parent to call that they just came home from the peds with pertussis, if a kid is self harming, or a new case of lice

Sending home special situations- Mom says Aunt Susie is going to pick up the child but she's not on the list. Who does Mom contact? Dad says Jackson can drive himself or walk home. Is that allowed?

I'm a murphy law magnet and these are things that tripped me up when I subbed or started a district float position.

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