Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

As always... feel free to save & print.  

Or purchase a postcard here!

view original 2012 post here :) - it's pretty much the same.

I love office supplies!

Want to get some new office supplies 

for your school nurse office?

I've always really liked office supplies...

paper, pencils, pens, post-its, tape,

highlighters, staplers, notepads, notebooks....

Seriously- anything office related I think I need to have!

Well, I was thinking of getting some cute school nurse office related items, 

but there aren't many out there.  So I decided to make a few of my own!

What do you think?  What's your favorite school nurse office supply?

School Nurse Labels by BarclayDesigns

School Nurse Magnet by BarclayDesigns

Or make your own!

Where have I been?

I need more time!

Are you serious?  It's been over a month since I've posted anything!?!

I had great intentions and wonderful post ideas.... but time- i don't have enough time :)

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir when I complain about not having enough time.

You should see the piles of papers on my desk- no kidding.

Typically, with each school year I feel like it starts off quickly,

then there are a couple of slower weeks, and then things sort of pick up again.

Well, this year.... I feel like the year started off quickly and hasn't slowed down :(

busy...busy...busy 

Like I said though, I did have some wonderful post ideas!

What are your thoughts- would you like to hear about:

+ a product that I use and love (or hate)?

+ some free printable office artwork?

+ another I AM poem?

+ photography- totally unrelated to school nursing?

+ my ideas for 'breakfast in a bag'?

Suggestions?

In the meantime I will leave you with this...

School Nurse Office Decor and Set Up

 

What does your dream health center or

school nurse's office look like?

+ this post contains affiliate links+ 

Lately, I've been dreaming of a spacious, organized, lovely new health center!

Reality is... I'll have to make do with the space I have.  Since I've worked in the school setting for 17+ (seriously) years I realize that the space I have is GREAT!  However, I can always dream, right?!

 

Here are a couple of random office pictures:

 

The above four pictures are from "my office".

I try to keep it somewhat organized- it is actually a rather large office and a space we use for extra storage, health charts, and vision & hearing screenings. 

 

This school year I was gifted a "new desk"-

it is really two tables pushed together in an L shape

and I'm sure the pieces are 20+ years old, but they weren't being used and are in great condition!

They beat the folding table and yucky old desk I had used for the last 6 years. 

Anyway.... one of the new desks has a topper on it for my computer monitor and the guys

found me short filing cabinets to fit under each side for

drawer space! I love it- I should have taken a picture :) 

I joke the new desk is so nice I finish twice as much work in half the amount of time!

 

Those are pictures of the school nurse's "waiting room" area.

There is a clip board for students to sign in and out,

free fruit (we get a basketful everyday from the wonderful cafeteria ladies),

and two old (!) cots for students to sit and wait for us. 

 

See the picture of the lockers? 

Below the picture we have the schedule printed for the kids...

then below that you see the little square colored pieces of paper? 

Those each correspond with a class period. 

If we have passes that need to be delivered for students we hang our passes there. 

Each class period we have 2-3 student messenger who sit a little round table below that sign-

they deliver passes for us, fill our water pitcher, make ice packs, and make us smile & laugh- remembering what it was like to be a teenager!

... school nurse treatment area desk ...

 

The above is actually a pencil drawing (from a former student) of a portion of the clinic are. 

This is where the students and staff are cared for!

It is a hodge-podge of old cabinets and desks

mixed with our new cots and desk chairs!

 

I've seen my share of health centers or nurse's offices

and so I realize how very lucky we are to have the space we have!

If I were allowed to dream though- I would redesign this space (a little bit!).

Moving walls probably aren't in my near future-

but if it were I have some grand plans in my mind!

 

My "short list" of dreams include:

1. new office cabinets that match and are functional!
2. a counter space area for supplies and an area for the students to check their blood sugar.
3. new flooring.
4. a new refrigerator- ours is very old!
5. a new microwave- ours was purchased in 1992!
6. one of these (affiliate link) FABULOUS ice makers! Although I would like to have one in  my home; I would LOVE to have one in my office. Can you imagine making ice packs on an as needed basis with these awesome little tiny nugget ice pieces?!  I dream of that day (is that weird?)! 

What does your nurse's office look like?

Do you love it?

Are there things you want to change in your office?

 

Get Your Free Epi-Pen Now!

Once again this school year,

Mylan Pharmaceuticals is offering FREE epi-pens to schools!

Maybe you remember my post from last school year?

Well, the same offer stands this year too!

 

I'm very excited because this is a huge savings for the Health Center-

which means there will be more money in my budget for supplies!

 

Keep in mind, a physician order is required, but should be easy to obtain!

 

www.epipen4schools.com

 

Visit the website today for your free epi-pens!

+affiliate link below+

SEVERE ALLERGY
by The School Nurse

 

 

 

 

Summer is Over... Keep Calm

Saying goodbye to summer...

I can't believe my summer is over!

The time really did seem to fly by :(

I'm sort of ready to be back into a routine and have a schedule to follow...

However, as soon as I get started

I will miss not having a routine and having small schedule to follow!

Anyway, remember when I was looking around for some basic first aid kits for classrooms?

I did find a very affordable option- they are ordered and I hope to share that find soon!

Hope you're enjoying your last few days of summer.

When do you go back to school?

What are your plans for this school year?

Here's a cute printable to get you through the first few weeks.

As always, if you want the JPG let me know!

Or buy it here!



GSA and The School Nurse

Really, how exciting does it sound to think about something as complicated as

General State Aid right smack dab in the middle of summer?

I know, I know....

I would much rather be doing a lot of nothing while staring at views like this:

However, I did a lot of research at the end of the school year regarding GSA and

I really want to share it with you now so you have time to do your own

research before the school year starts!  So, off we go!

General State Aid and The School Nurse

You might be asking yourself "What is general state aid?" 

I asked the same thing and found the answer was as complicated as the question!

Basically, GSA is a % of funds (money) the school district receives from the state

based on a very detailed, complicated, secretive formula that only several people in the state truly understand!  After reading a lot and talking to several school administrators

this is my easy-to-understand summary...

I'm pretty sure the formula involves the actual amount of minutes per day students attend school-

and by "school" I mean actual academic classes; passing periods and lunch periods do not count!

The state looks at each school district and takes an average of their best 3 months and

then comes up with the amount of money the school district will receive.

I tried to make it easy; this is just a basic summary :)

What does this really mean for The School Nurse?

I began to think... how can I help my school district's attendance rate and GSA increase?

If you're office is like mine, there are a handful of student each day who come to school

only to enter your office and say "My parents told me to try and  make it, but I want to go home".

Hmmm.... your assessment doesn't show anything alarming and the student has vague complaints.

You call home and are told by the parent ...

"I really want her/him to stay at school today. I told her/him to try and make it. What do you think?"

I thought about this school year trying to give that general"try and make it" a specific time.

As long as the parent is in agreement then why not see if the student can "make it" for an actual/qualified half day of school attendance?  In my school district a 1/2 day = 150 minutes of true academic classroom time.  An actual full day = 300 minutes of true academic classroom time.

I have the actual times written down on my desk now for easy reference and will share with the other office nurses for the upcoming school year.

What are your thoughts on GSA and The School Nurse?

Are you willing to do some research to see what times qualify in your district?

Do you think you might give "try and make it" scenarios a specific time this coming school year?

I would love to hear your thoughts!

free printable... just because!

free printable... favorite bible verse

 

Here is a free printable I created for my friend Tracey!

I hope she likes it?

 

I used a Felicity card template from designsbyjenn I recently purchased!

I made a few changes, and am please with how it turned out.

 

It is a 5x7 print... feel free to save and print your own!

Now I'm inspired to make one for my own home!

I will share when it is ready :)

click here to purchase a custom size!

Enjoy ...

 

 

Moms Who Care money!

Remember the Moms Who Care?

Well, a wonderful Mom donated $50!

The Moms Who Care used this money to

purchase much needed tennis shoes for two students!

Since school ends this week the Moms are taking a break @ school.

However, they will be hard at work making some improvements in the room!

Donations are still being accepted too & bargain shopping will continue as well!

We have big plans for next school year!

Do you work with Moms Who Care?  I hope so!

What should I do with all of these glasses?

the LIONS CLUB

Where I work... the Health Center ends up with all of the 'lost' glasses!

Even though we've announced that we have all of these - they remain unclaimed :(

We wanted to figure out a way to recycle these!

I did some research and found out the Lions Club accepts eyeglasses!

You can read more about their Eyeglass Recycling program here.

If your office ends up with a bunch of unclaimed eyeglasses then

please consider mailing them to:

Lions Club International Headquarters

Attention: Receiving Department

300 West 22nd Street

Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA

I am happy to help the Lions Club because they

have helped many of my students over the years.

Each year I have 2-3 families who apply for financial assistance

for an eye exam and glasses (if needed). 

My local Lions Club has helped all of the families I've referred!

Not only does the Lions Clubs offer help for vision needs;

they also offer assistance for: 

hearing aids, health-related services, scholarships or educational needs!

You can find your local Lions Club here!

Do you work with Moms Who Care?

Moms Who Care

I know I've mentioned the Moms Who Care before-

you can click on the link above or in the sidebar for more information.

You can read more posts about the volunteer group here, here, here ....
I thought there was one more too, but I can't seem to find it : )

Working with this volunteer group is one of the highlights of my weeks!

I  am very thankful that the administration and school board

allow this volunteer group to help our students!

It is hard to find words to express what these Moms mean to me-

I can only imagine how difficult it is for the students to find the right words!

One of our very talented students made a video (for the visual learners!)

about our local Moms Who Care group...

ENJOY!

National School Nurse Day- free printable

another free printable...

Print for your favorite school nurse for National School Nurse Day!

I can't believe another school year is quickly coming to an end!

 

Are you a parent or staff member wondering what to give your

favorite school nurse for upcoming National School Nurse Day?

Why not print this cute 5x7 card and write her an inspirational note on the backside?!

 

Everyone loves to feel appreciated and

a handwritten note is often one of the best gifts :)

 

 

 

Nurses Week...

Happy (almost) Nurses Week

May 6, 2013 - May 12, 2013

and

National School Nurse Day May 8,2013

 

It is hard for me to believe that Nurses Week is just around the corner.

Maybe because I associate this week with warm weather, blooming flowers,

and the wrapping up of a school year.

Instead, this month has been cold, wet, and wintery :(

Did I say wet... I mean really wet- A LOT of rain.

Record breaking rainfall, floods, closed roads, and flooded homes...

It is horrible for a lot of my students too... UGH.

 

In spite of all the rain,

the days keep moving forward and it is...

Time to start thinking about a nurses week gift for your favorite nurse!

 

If you're looking for something personalized you might consider trying

HALO Branded Solutions!  They contacted me to write a post for them.

I agreed (for a free gift) and began snooping around their website.

 

I'm a sucker for bags, totes, more bags, and more totes!

Needless to say, I was fascinated with their

large selection of personalized bags and totes!

 

If you're a nurse (or know a nurse) I think you would LOVE

this large heavy cotton canvas boat tote bag!...

With dimensions like 24" W x 14" H x 7" D

AND a zipper closure it is a must have!

Your favorite nurse would have room for everything she (or he)

would need to carry back and forth from work to home!

 

I really want one (can you hook me up Courtney?)!

 

This would be perfect for a school district, company,

hospital, or doctor's office (or blog logo!) etc

to purchase for their nurses with the school/company logo

and their choice of colored handles!

 

Seriously, this would make a great gift item!

 

 

 

This post was written by Diary Of A School Nurse and

sponsored by HALO Branded Solutions...

I wrote it in exchange for a free item, but not necessarily a

personalized bag or tote...



i am a foster child...

Do you know a foster child?

I know a few ...

There is one in particular who has been on

my mind and in my heart these days.

I'm sure her story is similar to many others,

and it breaks my heart to think about her!

Tonight I told my own little girls

how happy I was they were able to live in our house with me.

They had no idea what I was really talking about, but went ahead and agreed with me!

What I was really talking about is how sometimes I take all that I have for granted...

then I am reminded during my work day that a lot of kids only wish

for a portion of the things I take for granted :(

How selfish of me!

And so.... here is another I AM POEM ...

 

Do you know a foster child?

Can you relate to this post?

I would love to hear from you!



I NEED A QUOTE
by The School Nurse

i am the school nurse

Yes, I Am The School Nurse

I originally posted an 'I am the school nurse' poem on September 28, 2011. 

That original I Am poem really talks about who I was
as a school nurse at that particular time in my career.
The nice thing about writing these poems is that they can change
depending on the situations, experiences, and current issues you are dealing with.

So, although I enjoy reading that original poem;

I wanted to write another one that more closely represents
what is going on now with me and my school nursing experience. 

I wish I had written something similar back in 1996 when I first started school nursing-

how interesting would that be to read today!?

Anyway... in 2011 I also didn't make 'printables', so my poem

is just written as a typical blog post.

Which is fine, but I really like inserting the printable versions now!

2013 I Am The School Nurse Poem

2011 I Am The School Nurse Poem

How have you changed over the years?

Is there a particular situation or student

that really stands out in your mind?

I would love to hear from you!

I NEED A QUOTE
by The School Nurse

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day- a few days early!

 

And to help you celebrate I made a cute printable!

You should be able to right click, save as a picture,

then print or include it in an email to your favorite school nurse!

 

 

The free printables from last St. Patrick's can be found here.

Evidently I like the green and pink combo- What about you?

 

I actually had great plans to stay up late tonight.

I was going to download and edit some pictures,

start typing out a blog post idea I have,

and return some emails.

However, I just realized I'm super tired!

So, I'm going to head to bed instead...

I love it when I rhyme without even trying! :)

Enjoy the free St. Patrick's Day School Nurse Printable!

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

snow day!

Anyone else out there celebrating a snow day today?

 

I was already driving to work when I got the call that school was cancelled due to the weather.

I know there are some very excited kids out there (including my own)!

enjoy

 

 

snow day note pad by BarclayDesigns
View more notepad designs from Zazzle.

i am a parent in denial...

Do you know a parent in denial?

I talk to a lot of parents everyday!

How many you ask?  Probably 10-25.

I'm guessing- I should really keep track one day because the

actual number might be even more!

Anyway... there are times when I talk to a parent in denial.

This denial could be related to a number of issues their child has.

A few examples include:

1. grades
2. attendance
3. friend choices
4. clothing choices
5. overall choices
6. child health complaints

The list could go on and on-Surely you're thinking of a few things right now :)

It can be very frustrating when someone so close to a potentially dangerous situation

can't seem to see accept what is actually happening.

Does being too emotionally close the situation make the reality blurred?

I recently read an article related to parents in denial.

You can read the article too

 "Not My Kid: when parents are in denial" 

I was able to relate to the article because of a 

situation I was recently involved with at school.

Denial is not helping your child :(

I also wrote another I AM poem!

...

Can you related to any of this?

I would love to hear from you :)

I NEED A QUOTE
by The School Nurse

Dr. Seuss .... free printable poem

I stumbled upon this Dr. Seuss poem on Pinterest

via The Speech Ladies blog!

If you're a speech path (or know one) I think it would be worth

your time to check out this mother-daughter speech blog!

I enjoyed what I read :)

 

Anyway, with all of the changes surrounding

school nursing in IL, I found this poem quite time appropriate!

I've been thinking about IEPs for the last several months and

have been creating some forms to use for medical reviews.

As soon as I have them ready I will share them.

 

I made the poem into a cute 8 1/5 x 11 free printable-

right click, save, and print :)

I didn't write the poem, just created the cute printable.

Feel free to share it, print it, pin it,

and comment if you like it!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

You can also order your very own spiral notebook here!

Perfect for keeping all of your IEP information

for a school year neat and organized!



Dr. Seuss IEP spiral notebook by BarclayDesigns