Suggested School Nurse Supply Lists

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Helpful School Nurse Tips: Having the proper school nurse supplies and school nurse assessment tools for your job actually can make your job easier! The proper health center supplies will add to the functionality of your school nurse office. Check out the nurse's office supply lists below that were you created with the school nurse in mind.

Online Shopping for School Nurse Office Supply Items

Having the right school nurse supplies and assessment tools can make your job easier and your office more functional. Check out the detailed supply lists for online shopping, digital resources, resource books, medication supplies, PPE, Type 1 Diabetes management, basic first aid supplies, and emergency items to streamline your workflow and enhance your preparedness.

Does your school district have a business account with Amazon? Mine does, and I love it! I order most of my school nurse office supplies from Amazon because the prices are reasonable and the shipping is FAST. On average, items arrive within three days—sometimes in just one or two days. This is great because I can order last-minute items, receive them quickly, and have time to use them before they expire. View all of The School Nurse's shopping idea lists today.

DIGITAL SCHOOL NURSE RESOURCES

Why reinvent the wheel? This Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) storefront is packed with digital resources specifically designed for school nurses. Most items are editable and integrate seamlessly with Google Drive. Many school districts permit staff to buy from TpT, so check if you can purchase these valuable school nurse resources without using personal funds. There are many FREE items in The School Nurse TpT store too- take a look.

SCHOOL NURSE RESOURCE BOOKS

I love the convenience of online searches, but I also really appreciate a great resource book that I can hold in my hands. Can you relate? For school nurses, having a reliable book to reference can make a big difference in our daily routines. Whether it's a quick guide, a detailed health assessment manual, or an emergency care handbook, these tangible resources are so valuable. Check out this curated list of essential school nurse books that will help you stay on top of the latest nursing protocols and procedures. If so, check out this list of school nurse resource books.

MEDICATION SUPPLIES

Before the pandemic, I averaged around thirty scheduled medications administered during the school day. However, throughout the pandemic, this number has significantly decreased due to various factors such as remote learning and reduced in-person attendance. Despite the drop, I always need to be prepared for the numbers to rise again as students return to regular school schedules. Ensuring that I have a well-stocked medication supply, proper documentation, and an organized administration system is crucial. It's essential to stay ready to meet the needs of students and handle any potential increase in medication administration efficiently. Check out this idea list full of useful supplies related to medications at school.

Also, if you train any unlicensed staff to administer medication you might be interested in this- It's a free PDF guide- it's here to help. It serves as a reference that you can customize to fit your specific school and district needs. Feel free to add personalized notes and details to tailor the presentation to your audience.

Presentation Sections Include:

Policy & Procedures
Forms
Medications
Inventory
Storage
Administration
Documentation
Resources & References

FREE medication administration, documentation, & storage training presentation!

TYPE 1 DIABETES

This school year (2021 - 2022), 10% of my student population has a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. The majority of these students function completely independently and usually have all of their needed supplies. I might only see them if they need help with a site change, to treat a low, or a random high. Even though those students are self sufficient, the office needs to be prepared to step in when needed and have the proper supplies to meet the doctor orders listed in the Diabetes Medical Management Plans!

In order to help make sure we have what they need, I keep many of the items listed in the Diabetes Idea List for School Nurses in stock in the school health center / school nurse's office. Do you too?

BASIC FIRST AID SUPPLIES

Are you even a school nurse if you don't have a favorite bandaid, thermometer, or way to make an ice pack? Your state and your school district will determine exactly what type of first aid care you can offer your students. You want to always protect your nursing license and make sure you are practicing within your scope and offering appropriate services. In most settings supplying a bandaid, checking a temperature, and offering an ice pack are within your scope.

Check out my favorites here: 4-wing fabric and latex-free bandaids, Welch Allyn SureTemp thermometer, Countertop Ice Maker!

EMERGENCY SUPPLY ITEMS

Are you ready for a health emergency at school? As school nurses, we've got to be prepared for anything, anytime. Whether it's a student, staff member, or even a visitor, emergencies can pop up unexpectedly. If you're a school nurse, you've probably been there when someone needed urgent help, and if not yet, you will be—it's just part of the job. That's why having the right emergency response training, stocking up on essential first aid supplies, and having clear protocols in place are absolute musts. Explore our complete guide on school nurse emergency preparedness to make sure you're all set to handle whatever comes your way.

View DOASN blog posts related to my emergency response bag / box!