Have you ever heard a nurse say something like this...
"I was hired to work in a school for next year and I'm so excited, but I have no idea what to do."
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Feeling a little lost in the world of school nursing can be very common.
School nurses are viewed as the medical experts in buildings full of educators. Many school nurses function alone with few supplies compared to the medical world.
This interactive toolkit from NASN might be a super helpful resource for you.
Below I'll list my top 3 tips for the new school nurse planning for a smooth start to a new school year.
1. Organize Your School Nurse Office
- Take time to organize your office! Think about the space you have and try to make the most of it. Try making work stations in your space. Consider a "treatment" area where you will help students, an area to organize your supplies, a desk area for paperwork (there will be mountains of paperwork!), maybe you're lucky enough to have a rest/quiet area too? Having your items organized with designated areas in your office will help define the spaces for you, or students and staff too. I really enjoy decorating my office space! You can see a few pictures on The School Nurse Instagram Page and shop some school nurse office decoration ideas on The School Nurse Amazon Storefront Page!
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2. School Nurse Summer Work Days
- Before the first day of student attendance you will want to take time to review health folders/charts and make a list of students who have health concerns. Consider using excel or google docs (my preference) for your list making. You might want to start writing things with pen and paper, but using a computer will be more beneficial in the long term. I keep my lists on google docs for easy access and updating. I always make a copy and rename it for the next school year- this way all I have to do is remove those who no longer attend and add the new students. By making a copy thought I still have all previous years for reference if needed. Read these other blog posts for additional help: School Health History Form, Emergency Bag for School Nurses, and Health Information- Digital Teacher Tips Cards.
3. State School Health Requirements
- Figure out how you'll want to track your state health requirements! Good record keeping in this area will save you time in the future! I use google sheets for this one! My columns include: name, grade, date of entrance, date due, what items are needed and a comment area to document when I've mailed letters or talked to parents/students etc. I delete names as items are turned in unless it is information I need to report to the state later in the year- if that is the case then I move the info down on sheet :) View a variety of digital school nurse resources on The School Nurse Teachers Pay Teachers storefront.
What did I miss?
What are some tips you have for a smooth start to a new school year?
Please share your ideas in the comments or email me
What are some tips you have for a smooth start to a new school year?
Please share your ideas in the comments or email me
theschoolnurse@diaryofaschoolnurse.com
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