One of the most important tasks for any new school nurse is office organization!

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: You might think waiting to organize your office when you have more time is best practice. However, I'm here to tell you that taking time now to organized your office will actually save you time in the long run! Ready to get started?

How to Organize Your School Nurse Office

Your office isn’t just a place to store bandages and paperwork- it’s the heart of your school health operations. From daily visits to medical emergencies, how your space is organized can directly impact how effectively you care for students.

I personally like to set up my office into designated health stations, with flexibility to adapt based on the needs of students and staff. Here’s how you can get started:

Suggested Health Stations:

Think about how students move through your space and the types of care you provide. Here are a few functional areas to consider:

Treatment Area – Basic first aid supplies, ice packs, cleaning solutions
Medication Station – Lockable storage, MAR sheets, medication guides
Diabetes Care Station – Glucometers, snacks, care plans, emergency supplies
Documentation Area – FERPA forms, student files, consent forms, district health policies
Isolation/Rest Area – A cot, thermometer, PPE, cleaning supplies

Defining these spaces helps you stay organized and makes it easier for students and staff to know where they'll go and what to expect.

Why Stations Work:

Having defined spaces means everything has a place. That means less time looking for supplies and more time focusing on student care. A clear layout also helps during emergencies- when you don’t want to be searching for a med cabinet key or a care plan binder.

Stay Flexible

The needs of your students may change throughout the year. Don’t be afraid to shift things around. I reevaluate my setup each semester; especially when adding new students with medical needs or updating emergency protocols.

Remember: Safety & Privacy

Be sure your layout supports confidentiality and student privacy as much as possible. Lock up student medications, keep records secure, and follow your state’s Nurse Practice Act and district policies on storage and documentation.