Student Office Visits to the Nurse's Office

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: If you know me, you know I'll say I don't like a lot of change. However, if you work with me then you know I'm always changing things! Don't be afraid of change; be willing to try new things- something might work better!

I don't like change yet I'm always changing.

How Do Students Visit The Nurse's Office

The majority of a school nurse's day revolves around taking care of students' health needs. How will those students arrive at your office for their visit?

Over the years, my office has implemented various methods for students to visit. These different methods ensure that students can access the health services they need efficiently and effectively. They include:

Arrive with a pass from the teacher (sample passes here)
Walk in
Teacher phones or emails and asks if there is time and space for the student to come down
Student makes an appointment

Yes, you read that correctly—students make appointments! Recently, we've asked that students make an appointment. Many schools use a program/app called CALENDLY. My office started using this program during the 2021-2022 school year because the school counselor's offices were already using it, so our students and staff were familiar with it.

This process helps students learn how to describe their complaints and needs. This approach not only fosters independence but also helps students become more articulate about their health concerns. These are great skills for high school students to learn!

Here are a few key Calendly points (IMO):

FREE option provides flexibility, but a paid option is available
User friendly
Links to a Google calendar
The nurse can adjust appointment times (we allow 5 minute), how much time between appointment, and how far in advance an appointment can be made (we allow 5 days)
You can create questions that students must or may answer when they are scheduling their appointment. We have students select (via drop down options) their "reason" for the visit and their preferred "outcome" too.
We've been able to take care of some needs via email which keeps the student in class & avoids exposure to germs in our office
We still allow walk-in appointments- and we still get a lot of walk-ins, but we try to see those who made an appointment first
The nurse can block out appointment times for lunch break and meetings or days off etc.
You can create reports (if students make an appointment) which is great for end of the year reporting
There are probably many more uses that we're not aware of too!

In addition to Calendly and paper charting, we also use Skyward to chart medication inventory and administration. Also, beginning with the 2022 - 2023 school year, we will begin charting basic Office Visits in Skyward and ditch our Google form (another change!). This change will allow us to gather more accurate office visit & medication numbers for our EOY BOE report (end of year, board of education)!

When Do Students Need To Visit The Nurse's Office

Communicate with your staff about the different levels of care your office provides. Give examples and let them know what is needed for a student within each category to be sent to your office (e.g., teacher pass, escort, emergency button, phone call, email, appointment, etc.).

I email a brochure at the beginning of each semester to all school staff. The information includes:

A welcome to the nurse's office page with contact information
Information on how to view their student's with chronic health conditions in Skyward
Types of services we offer (urgent, nonurgent, grab n go table)
Ongoing list of students who have access to use the school elevator
Ongoing list of students who have immediate and unlimited bathroom passes
School attendance guidelines
Links to all staff education guidelines for common conditions with school protocols (asthma, seizures, diabetes, allergies, etc.)
An invitation to come down and introduce themself to the nursing staff

For more ideas you can read these popular conversations with The School Nurse public FB group!