I'm in my first year as a school nurse (I previously spent 15 years in hospice or hospital nursing) and I am SICK all the time. I've NEVER been sick like this! I spent 2 days out last week with yet another GI bug. I went to Urgent Care for nausea meds and they sent me to ER in an ambulance because my potassium was so low! I'm back at work today but extremely fatigued and still taking oral K+ supplements.
I've used all but one of my personal and sick days being sick this school year and we have 3 more months of school left! I haven't picked up the respiratory stuff, just the GI stuff. I am washing my hands like crazy but STILL! It's awful!
Do any of you seasoned nurses have tips for getting through the first years while my immune system gets used to this onslaught of kid disease? I have been taking Juice Plus supplements daily since August. I have IBS which I think might be why I tend to catch the GI stuff easier.
As I said, my office with my computer and files is at the D.O.
The kids are seen in each office of the schools - they have first aid kits and lock boxes with meds prescribed by docs. But I'm not on each campus every day. The secretaries handle most minor mishaps.
I should take a photo of the mat and blanket used by sick kids at one elementary school.
^^ Hmmmm.... good point!! Maybe I'm jealous you have the SPACE for 3 cots. I could fit 3 cots in my office, but I wouldn't be able to get to the bathroom, or my supply cabinets.
Yes I do take a Probiotic and I am known for my heavy cleaning. Once when I arrive in the morning, again after the lunch rush and again at the end of the day. I clean all surfaces: countertops, keyboard/computer, phone, doorknobs, and anything I see kids touch or look at.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to look into them seriously. I've had diarrhea type IBS for many years and in 2013 was hospitalized three times with dehydration/hypokalemia so I realize the seriousness I can get into when these GI bugs get ahold of me. I am chronically washing my hands all day then dealing with dry hands all the time. I've turned into a germaphobe with this job.
Today I've sent home 4 kids with vomiting and diarrhea (after we've been out for 3 snow days) so I'm afraid we have another bug going around. I'm gonna try the grape juice and see if it staves this bug off!
I have cot envy as well. I only have room for 1 cot in my office.
Only one cot here as well. Doesn't stop them from coming in though. I have had as many as 4 in here waiting to be picked up all with GI bug. At the same time there where 6 waiting on an open space in clinic so they could be seen. Not one of the better days here at all! I need more space and cots!
I have one very run down army cot in an tiny closet.
How I'd love to have a bigger cot space (but I realize more cots would mean more kids taking full advantage of the clinic). What I'd really love is one brand new, nice cot.
JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN
3,035 Posts
I have one cot. I fought for it this year and rearranged my office to try and build a little privacy corner around it.