Advice For New School Nurses

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip: A new career as a school nurse can be daunting, but it can also be an exciting opportunity for growth and fulfillment. I'll post links below to relevant DOASN blog posts that will help you get started on your journey. Remember, starting a new career takes time and effort, but with dedication and perseverance, you can find a fulfilling and rewarding path.

Welcome to the world of school nursing!

Dear new school nurse,
On behalf of other school nurses, I want to extend a warm welcome to you as your begin your school nursing career. Please remember, your role as a school nurse is critical in ensuring the health and well-being of students, staff, and faculty. Your experience and knowledge will be invaluable as you navigate the challenges that lay ahead. Be confident knowing that you will make a positive impact on your school and your community. Once again, welcome to school nursing. I'm wishing you a successful and fulfilling career as a school nurse.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth AKA The School Nurse

FAQs FOR NEW SCHOOL NURSES

Advocacy & Support

Advocacy and support for school nurses are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of students and school staff. School nurses play a critical role in promoting health education, providing preventative care, and managing chronic conditions. By advocating for school nurses, we can ensure that schools have the resources and support necessary to provide quality healthcare services to students.

Supporting school nurses can lead to improved academic outcomes as healthy students are better able to focus and learn. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize advocacy and support for school nurses to maintain a healthy school environment and promote student success.

RESOURCES

List of State Association of School Nurses

National Association of School Nurses

Overseas School Health Nurses Association

Mentorship & Networking

Networking and mentoring are both beneficial for school nurses, but they serve different purposes.

Networking involves building relationships with other professionals in the same field or industry, which can lead to new job opportunities, sharing of resources and ideas, and expanding one's knowledge and skills. On the other hand, mentoring involves a more personal relationship between a more experienced school nurse and a less experienced school nurse, where the mentor provides guidance, support, and advice on career development and professional growth.

While networking can be done with multiple people, mentoring typically involves a one-on-one relationship. Finding a mentor is important for new school nurses. A mentor can offer advice on how to handle difficult situations, share best practices, and provide insight into the unique challenges of working in a school setting.

In addition, having a mentor can help new school nurses build confidence and establish a professional network. Overall, finding a mentor can be a valuable resource for new school nurses as they navigate their role and responsibilities in the school healthcare setting.

School nurses can find networking & mentorship opportunities via online avenues. Check out a few online resources listed below.

RESOURCES

Google Search Results "School Nurse Mentor"

Google Search Results "School Nurse Networking"

The School Nurse Facebook Page

The School Nurse Public Group

The School Nurse Private Group

Duties & Responsibilities

School nurses have a variety of duties and responsibilities. Not only are they responsible for managing student health records, administering medications and treatments, and providing first aid and emergency care; they also may be responsible for conducting health screenings, developing and implementing health education programs, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the overall health and well-being of students.

School nurses play a critical role in promoting a healthy school environment and supporting the academic success of students. The duties and responsibilities of each school nurse should be defined with state practice guidelines and school district needs.

RESOURCES

Legal Resources for School Nurses https://amzn.to/3D4b1JM

School Nurse Resource Manual https://amzn.to/3D8JfLT

School Nursing: Scope & Practice of Standards https://amzn.to/3O4iChM

Routines & Boundaries

Establishing a daily routine with clear boundaries (including taking a lunch break) can be essential for school nurses. Routines can help you manage your workload effectively, ensure that they have time for self-care, and prevent burnout.

Remember, you are setting a healthy example for your students and staff too. Would you encourage them to skip lunch daily or eat while working? If not, then you need to prioritize your lunch break too. Taking your lunch break can help you recharge, attend to their personal needs, and ultimately provide better care to students. It is important to prioritize self-care and establish healthy habits to maintain overall well-being and provide the best possible care to those in need.

RESOURCES

Boundaries

Boundaries at Work

From Burnout to Purpose

Organization & Decor

Having an organized school nurse's office is crucial for several reasons:

It ensures that all necessary medical supplies and equipment are easily accessible and readily available when needed. This can be critical in emergency situations where time is of the essence.
An organized office helps to maintain a clean and sanitary environment, minimizing the risk of infections or the spread of illness. It can also help to streamline administrative tasks, such as record-keeping and inventory management, allowing nurses to spend more time providing care to patients.
An organized nurse's office is essential for providing efficient, effective, and high-quality healthcare services.

School nurses spend a lot of time at work, take the time to create a space that is functional and makes you feel good. An aesthetically pleasing office space is important for several reasons:

It sets the tone; a visually appealing workspace can impress students & staff, helping to create a professional and trustworthy image for your school.
Creating a positive and comfortable work environment can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
A well-designed office space can also reflect the values and culture of your school and your professional values as well.

RESOURCES

Funding & Budgets & Supplies

Public school budgets are the financial plans that outline how funds will be allocated to various school programs and services. The funding for school nurse staff is typically included in the overall budget and varies depending on factors such as the size of the school district, the number of schools, and the student population. Funding can come from a variety of sources, including federal and state grants, local property taxes, and fundraising efforts.

School nurse staff play an important role in promoting student health and wellness, and it is essential that schools allocate adequate funding to ensure that students have access to quality healthcare services.

One way to provide quality is to have the supplies you need & to know where (& how) to purchase those supplies. You'll want to find out what your school year budget is and what you are required to purchase from that budget & from where you can purchase items.

The easiest way for me to get supplies is to place a purchase order with the assigned person at my school district through our Amazon Business account! This account offers no tax and quick (usually two day), free shipping! You can view all of my supply lists HERE.

RESOURCES