What School Nurses REALLY Do?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Nailed it!!

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I always describe my job as the medical professional in the building and the mom of everyone in it. It is no way an easy job, I am exhausted most evenings and my school is teeny tiny compared to most schools. BUT I am involved in almost every aspect of this school and I wouldn't have it any other way. These kids are all "my kids". Sometimes it's tough when people on the outside think we have it so easy that's why it's so important for me to have the other members of this board to reinforce that what we do is important and difficult, rewarding and challenging, exhausting and uplifting all at the same time.

[abc123RN]

And on top of all the things the OP listed, we interact with the students. Whether it's a quite talk in the office or a chat while walking down the hall. We are there for them. I am in a small school, just over 200 students, so sometimes I even have a few minutes to play ball in the gym with them!

[Farawyn]

I copied Kittery's OP onto a word document and printed it out and hung it in my office, giving her full credit of course!

[OldDude]

I'm trying to figure out a way to work my school nurse job - from home.

[Kittery]

Spinoff on this topic: we have computerized charting so I'm easily able to pull up how many visits I've had this year. 1,493!!! We started school late August. I'm sure my numbers are on the low end, too, but that just blew my mind. Curious to see what others' total visits are year to date, please share if you'd like!

[OldDude]

I'm at 1,330.

[Jollyapple5]

I'm at 2931

[ohiobobcat]

I never thought to do this!! I am at 1887, and that doesn't count the girls that come in asking for tampons/pads.

[fetch, BSN, RN]

1385 since Sept 3 . . . oh wait, now at 1386!! Revolving door today!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

1268 and that does not include daily meds, time spent doing concussion tracking, evenings spent at preseason presentations, time spent doing a flu shot clinic and on and on and on!

[fetch, BSN, RN]

Oh, and don't forget the cleaning! With limited seating and cots, and no paper covers (at least I don't get any), Sani-Cloths are my best friend. I actually like the smell of Vo-Ban these days, as it covers up the stench of the boys' bathroom as well as vomit. And the janitors will never clean the clinic door handles as much as I would like, so those get Sani-Clothed too. Then audio wipes for the audiometer, wiping up water that gets spilled when 6 year olds try to pour their own, and spraying everything that gets bled on with the anti-HIV spray . . . cleaning takes up a good portion of the day.

Our school this year has had a few door decorating contests, and I like to keep my clinic looking as little like a jail cell as possible, so I participate in those. I also have a bulletin board that gets seasonal decorations and health or safety tips. And since my clinic is Muppet themed, I've created some paper Muppet heads to add to the walls and bulletin boards. None of that is expected of me, but it helps to give the kids something else to look at beside plain white cinderblock walls, and can open a discussion venue as well. I've had kids who clam up when they get in here, but if I get them to help me with an art project for the wall, suddenly they're chatting away.

I also have a couple of fifth graders who I mentor, though with all the yuck going around they've been avoiding the clinic this week. Can't blame them! Who wants to have the flu for Christmas?