The Week Before School Starts

Published

What do you do the week before school begins? My first official day of school nursing will be the same day the teachers report.

I am assuming I will be doing alot of inventory on what was left by the nurse before me, professional development with other staff?, a start on record keeping for the prek and k?

What has been your experience in the past?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

Lots of emails to the teachers regarding the health concerns of specific students, meeting with teachers if necessary, clarifying aide assignments regarding delegated procedures, by the last week I should be done contacting parents with questions... (Tell me about your child's seizure disorder, when was their last seizure, have you ever used diastat at home, when was their last physician visit, are they taking seizure medication at home, etc)

In addition to review of non-compliant students (immunizations), trying to clear any of those, might assist a secretary in entering imms into the computer system. (Legal notice of non-compliance goes out in two weeks, that sneaks up fast)

Reminding paraprofessional staff that need medication administration refresher course before school starts.

Compiling my own checklist of students with severe allergies to be sure their epi pen is in place, checklist of students with health needs in each building, (I have three buildings) meeting with principals to refresh them about students with special health needs.

Do your parents fill out some kind of annual health inventory for forms and fees day? That's how I know what will walk through the door on the first day and try to prepare for it, both new students and returning students.

Hope all goes well for you and our other "newbies"!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your response!

Newbie starting Tuesday here :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Immunizations are a big issue for us - most of my time that week before school starts is making sure everyone is up to date (mainly pertains to Kinder & new kids). This year admin is actually enforcing the rule regarding immunization - if they are not complete the child can not start the first day.

I go thru and check on health issues - lots of parent contact regarding clarification of issues, reminding them to bring necessary medication, forms etc. At the end of the week I usually have a pretty good idea of what types of issues we will be dealing with - computer is updated with the health info and teachers are notified. I will get with the teachers during this week if I need to discuss a particular kid with them.

Inventory is done the first day I get back so I can get my order in ASAP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in education, school nursing, med-surg, urgent care.

Ask if you can get into the office a day or two before the official start day. I used to do that as a teacher and spent the time organizing my classroom, putting up bulletin boards, etc. I'm sure you will have plenty to (re)organize and maybe someone would even be available to show you the computer system, email, etc. The first day of school usually has a lot of (boring) meetings and if you're pulled into them then you won't have much time in the health office to do nursing work. Also, find out if you're supposed to do any informational sessions for teachers/staff. You'll need time to prepare! good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wasn't given any info on what I am supposed to do on Monday! I'm assuming I just show up when the regular school day starts! The "help me" has already begun!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

Immunization and file review!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion