Subbing at my son's elementary and the district

[Kbearden]

Hi! I would love some thoughts and encouragement. I'm considering being a sub for my sons elementary and district. I was a RN on an orthopedic unit with some med surg overflow for several years and have two kids ages 3 and 5. I do not have ped experience. Would I be okay? I'm not worried about basic first aid but the more medically fragile children.. also if you are subbing at different schools how does it work not knowing those kids or the health rooms? Any questions you would ask? I have thought of speaking to our school nurse and seeing if I could perhaps shadow or help with the hearing/vision screens to get a feel. Thank you for your thoughts.

[AdobeRN]

I subbed before becoming full time. I would call the nurse at the campus I was scheduled to work and ask about how the clinic runs, frequent flyers, any diabetics, medical procedures - (cathing, tube feedings etc) or anything else I would need to know before getting there. Shadowing is a good idea - our district allows the newly hired subs to come in for a paid 1/2 day to see how the clinic is run, go over paperwork and to review computer charting.

[OldDude]

In regard to charting, paperwork, procedures, and administrative stuff, "generally," subbing in a school clinic is like a pilot letting you sit in the chair and fly the plane. You don't have to take off, land, or know what the gauges mean...just keep the plane flying straight. Otherwise, student health and safety is top priority, medication administration has written instructions, and other stuff isn't life threatening. Plus you DO have pediatric experience - about 5 years worth;)

[nmr79]

I'm relatively new to school nursing (this is my first year).

I met with the nurse at the end of last year (she was a long-term sub, and worked at least 2 days a week in my office, so she had a good handle on the kids here). She gave me a rundown on the medical-needs kids who would be returning this year. I also met with the nurse who had my 7th graders last year (my building is 7th and 8th, and we are right across from the 5th/6th building). I still call her often about some of the kids with more puzzling issues. Don't be afraid to ask the other nurses in the district- they have been really helpful to me this year.

I've had a sub once this year, and she came in the day before, as she hasn't been to this school yet (she had been to others in the district). I showed her where everything was, and showed her where my "sub folder" is. It's a folder with info about the frequent flyers, the daily med kids, and any other ongoing things that would maybe come up while she was here. She couldn't sign in to SNAP, so I just had her keep track of the visits on paper (our district is just going paperless this year, and we have the rest of the year to fully transition).

I'd see if you can connect with the regular nurse at the school/s, even if just over email or for 5 minutes.

I will say, parenthood has prepared me well for this gig! Also, my daughter is in the district, and I love having the same schedule as she does. Good luck!

[WineRN]

.just keep the plane flying straight.

I subbed before getting this position through an agency so I bounced around a few different schools and districts and the main thing you have to do is keep everyone alive (as silly as that sounds). Some nurses are better than others when it comes to organization so hopefully at each school there will be a point person you can call if you need help. But I subbed at schools where no one knew where anything was in the office or any of the protocols, so those days I spent looking through everything I could find to get my bearings (I would always arrive 30 mins prior to school starting if it was somewhere new). Usually a school nurse has a sub binder, and because I'm crazy I also have a cheat sheet in the front of mine with notes about my FFs.

[Jacquipals]

...just keep the plane flying straight.

^^^This. I subbed for my home district before I became a full time RN. Great experience. It can be stressful going from school to school so maybe find out if there is a nurse leader or someone you can call for advice. Good luck!

[Windchaser22]

I subbed prior to becoming full time as well. In my home district with 5 schools I spent two days orienting at each school on my own dime. In other districts I had a paid orientation. Take lots of notes as each school and school nurse are different and yes, just keep the plane flying. You'll be fine.

[Amethya]

It's a good idea! Like everyone says, it helps you understand how a school nurse works and what to do. I'm using my time here as leverage so when I actually leave to be an RN and go work at a school, I can show that I do have 2 years of experience working at a school and know how to work around a school too.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I subbed before becoming full time. I did two hours of orientation at each school during their "busy" time (the big medical procedures, or insulin times). The nurses I subbed for always left great sub plans, and mine are annoyingly specific.

Paperwork that comes in as long as it's not for medication can always wait until the regular nurse is back. Once you sub a few times you will feel more comfortable. See if there is a nurse in the district that you would be able to call if you had a question or concern. Best of luck.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Also, if this is something that you eventually want to do full-time, subbing is the best way to get your foot in the door.