What are the "extras" that you do?

Published

Specializes in Community and Public Health, Addictions Nursing.

Maybe it's that really good ice coffee I just drank, or maybe it's the beautiful spring weather we've been having in my neck of the woods, but this week I'm in the mood to start doing a little planning for next year. I'm new to my position- just reached the one year mark a few weeks ago- and so far it's been a lot of learning what my job actually is, along with all the paperwork and health needs of the littles.

I'm itching to do some more health education, outreach, and relationship-building with families next year. My question for all of you is, outside of the day-to-day clinic work that we all do, what are some "extras" that you like to do? I'm thinking about things like bulletin boards, blood drives, celebrating different health weeks...things like that. I know that these extras can take up what little time, resources, and support we already have, but I really enjoy it when I have the chance to provide these things to others. Any ideas that have worked well for you are welcome!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I throw a blurb into the Principal's weekly newsletter when I'm feeling particularly engage-y. The counselor and other specialist who fall under the pupil services umbrella have offered classes for parents on different things but attendance was frequently 0-1, so we don't do any of those.

My bulletin board gets changed 1-3 times a school year. I keep it general based on what sort of timing I have.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Congratulations UrbanHealth!!!

I want you to sit until that feeling passes.

Kidding (sort of). I relish my bulletin board collaboration with the art teacher. I email her concepts and the kids illustrate things like hand washing, covering their coughs, and sun safety.

Office of Women's Health has a list of the health-related weeks and months if you choose. I used to do that.

I caution you on the blood drive....lots of people feel sick afterward (and yes, you get to recover them). Weigh the benefit with the amount of dizzy/nauseous/needs hydration in your clinic.

And best of luck. Let me know what you end up doing. Maybe you'll motivate me.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I coordinate a mobile physical and immunization clinic that comes twice per year as well as a mobile dentist that comes once per year. I also participate in our district's wellness committee.

Others are organizing a wellness fair to take place in the fall...conveniently on the weekend I am running a marathon, so I'll participate in the planning, but am still undecided on my level of commitment.

I have a bulletin board that has been unchanged since last spring.

If your district doesn't already have one, work with your mental health and admin team to make a booklet of resources with information/addresses/phone numbers for staff and families. I did that a few years back when I had extra motivation.

I did the newsletter thing, but nothing really got read and it got old trying to think of topics.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a look who lost a tooth wall in the hallway and hang printed/cut-out teeth with students name on it when they loose teeth.

I pass out veggie/fruit stickers randomly in the cafeteria to students that have veggies/fruit on their tray.

I send out random pop quizzes via email for teacher in regards to things like "where is the AED machine located", basic CPR and EPIPEN instructions, etc. First one with all answers correct gets a prize! Teachers rush to my office for this lol. It's pretty fun and helps everyone stay informed.

I send out monthly newsletters for staff each month via email. They love this as well. It's informative and related to what's going on "health wise" or correlates to the health topic of the month.

My students that wear glasses and 1). KEEP UP WITH THEM 2). CAN BE EXPECTED TO WEAR THEM EVERYDAY 3). DO NOT REPEATEDLY BREAK THEM ON PURPOSE - get a pizza party at the end of the year. I tell them about it at the start of the year so they are encouraged to be responsible with their glasses. They look forward to this all year long. I put a class list in the teachers box at the end of the year and the teacher highlights which ones get to participate (since they are in the classroom with them and know).

This year I am going to set up a table strictly for nursing/health related information for the school year at Meet the Teacher night. I will have a "meet the nurse" sign lol.

I hang information all over the school. EX: there are signs by ALL of the water fountains that say "Do you have a headache? DRINK MORE WATER. Not drinking enough water is the number 1 cause of headaches - this is called DEHYDRATION. Love, your school nurse" they are colorful and students notice them, helps them to increase fluids and be educated. Signs in gym for nosebleed rules, SS of concussions. Signs in bathroom for hand washing, etc. You get the drift.

My bulletin board outside is decorated with colorful pom-poms and says "students LEARN BETTER when they FEEL BETTER" and it stays up all year long, but I do add smaller bulletin boards with information for autism awareness month, etc.

I have a "when the nurse is out" binder in my office for documentation, protocols, my contact information, etc.

I make field trip survival kits for field trips with all the thingggggs.

I organize a biggest loser competition for all staff. THIS IS A HIT! So much fun. I let everyone choose a "code name" for example: skinny minny, hangry, lovin' cupcakes, etc. and I make a chart to hang in the hallway that way everyone can track their progress but no one knows who is who. I have a teacher that lost 30 lbs last year and won! She ended up taking home like $400+. Crazy good turnout! We weigh in on Fridays in my office in the mornings.

I've never done classroom presentations but I am going to try to implement this next year! This is my 1st school year as a school nurse ? So next year I will start my 2nd school year. I plan to do more. I am not one to just sit in my office and wait for students. I love being out and about. I keep a walkie-talkie on me for emergencies. I love this job because I enjoy thinking outside of the box and it allows me to do that! I am also KG-4th grade so my ideas are geared towards the smaller population lol.

8
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse.

GIRL, I am taking notes!

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

@nurselife13 You are what the kids call "extra." Love it--sounds like you do a lot for your school & have fun with it.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
7 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:

@nurselife13 You are what the kids call "extra." Love it--sounds like you do a lot for your school & have fun with it.

I am totally stealing those signs, btw.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, BiscuitRN said:

@nurselife13 You are what the kids call "extra." Love it--sounds like you do a lot for your school & have fun with it.

Lol yes! I am just extremely ADHD so I am always finding random stuff to do lol!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, ruby_jane said:

I am totally stealing those signs, btw. 

Do it! ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, tining said:

GIRL, I am taking notes!

Yaaaas girl! Happy to help ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse.
2 hours ago, nurselife13 said:

Yaaaas girl! Happy to help ?

We are all fam in the clerb!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion