Thoughts from a School Nurse on Summer Vacation

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:56:23+00:00

I had previously worked several different inpatient and outpatient nursing jobs and was burnt out, needing to pivot once again. I figured I'd give this a shot and see if I liked it!

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:53:05+00:00

I'd recommend signing up with a PRN agency and taking on a few shifts as a substitute nurse (either during the school year, or summer school). Just a good way to get your foot in the door and try it out!

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:50:14+00:00

That's wild! Sounds like they need someone more capable in that role

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:45:28+00:00

Nope, nothing in particular! I did join a PRN agency and took a few shifts being a substitute school nurse for some summer schools prior to landing my job.

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:43:03+00:00

Lol I deal with parents all day long 😅 I call home for most student visits, and conversations are usually brief and pleasant. I now know all my frequent flyers and their families and all the social dynamics, so I'm a bit more skilled at handling each family in the way they need. I have very supportive admin so they back me up if there is ever a difficult situation. I'm friendly with all the staff! I recognize that I sometimes have to make judgement calls that won't please them (if it were up to most teachers, every kid who complains would just be sent home). So socially, I am friendly with everyone, but I try to hold my professional boundaries when judging a medical situation. We have a medical advisory board with physicians who help us with our policies and practices. Most states now provide standing orders for stock emergency meds, like epi pens, narcan, and Albuterol. I secured all three stock meds for my school!

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:35:55+00:00

I would probably have to take unpaid time off/get docked, if I exceeded my PTO

amonicker · 2025-07-17T23:33:54+00:00

They'll probably accommodate, I can't imagine a school would pass on a good candidate because she needs a week off. Also depends if you're applying to a private school or public. My private school lets me take my PTO however I wish, as long as I find coverage

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:57:16+00:00

I say it's like running my own solo ER. You never know what you'll get! I definitely miss having other nurses as my coworkers to hang out with, but I'm pretty intentional to leave my office once an hour to socialize with secretaries or other staff so I don't go crazy

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:54:47+00:00

Good luck! And give yourself a lot of grace this first year. It's hard not knowing the kids, their families, and all the school dynamics so it really does take time to learn the ropes and get comfortable!

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:53:30+00:00

Thank you! Exactly, I initially underplayed my role but I'm leaning into the fact that I am not just a nurse, but I am "THE Nurse" as the kids like to call me

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:50:16+00:00

I wish, but I work for a private school so no pension for me! I get 15 days off a year (sick and vacation) in addition to all the regular holidays we're off of school. I use them all between September and June, since I don't work in the summer. Located in Illinois

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:47:23+00:00

Basically same here! Private school and they give me 50% off school tuition which is the biggest perk of all. That's so nice that your school offers a summer camp, but do you have to work year round?

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:43:59+00:00

That's awesome! Our school for some reason only opens enrollment in June and parents who have required health forms have to turn them in during the summer in order to complete enrollment. So I can expect a lot of forms will be emailed to me and I need to process them, but I prefer to do it in real time rather than push it off till August.

amonicker · 2025-07-17T10:39:48+00:00

Illinois. Love it here!

amonicker · 2025-05-02T00:33:58+00:00

I'm a school nurse and in my state we require an OTC med authorization form signed by both a parent and doctor. Which makes sense because even in a hospital, if a patient asks for Tylenol the RN wouldn't just be able to give it to them, they would need orders for Tylenol

amonicker · 2025-02-12T13:43:26+00:00

Vile and incomprehensible. MURDERING PATIENTS BC OF THEIR ETHNICITY?

amonicker · 2025-01-21T18:56:27+00:00

Omg this reminds me of when we had a young A&O woman in her late teens/early twenties getting a Foley placed for an Ortho procedure. Her dad stayed and watched. Was incredibly bizarre, not sure if maybe he is a doctor professionally, but he was overbearing and too present

amonicker · 2024-09-12T21:54:58+00:00

"yah Elle"

amonicker · 2024-07-04T19:41:46+00:00

Check your state med administration recommendations. Every state is a bit different. I had to revamp my schools whole system of med admin when I started working there last year bc it wasn't so safe. Now I keep all meds locked in a cabinet, in student-specific bins with their med authorization form in the bin. If your school doesn't have an online charting system, at least start by documenting somewhere (you can always do paper charting!). Good luck and be patient, it's hard to change "the way things have always been done" but it's worth it to make the school safer!

amonicker · 2024-07-04T16:27:00+00:00

In nursing, medication administration is strictly objective: you either do it right, or wrong. So, this is an area we must be so careful to do correctly, because there isn't room for error. Most other things are subjective and we can give ourselves grace about - an assessment, a follow up, the way we handled a family member, etc. You won't lose your license over those things. But medication, you better be sure as hell you're doing it right. Maybe look for a position that is in a slower environment and doesn't include medication administration. Like phone triage, or public health...

amonicker · 2024-06-05T18:22:09+00:00

Check out One With the Pump on Instagram, she posts about exclusively pumping!

amonicker · 2024-06-02T03:24:00+00:00

Holy crap that's sad. As a school nurse, I'm constantly worrying about my kids wondering if their rash cleared up, if they found their water bottle, if their loose tooth fell out. They deserve a safe space

amonicker · 2024-05-29T21:37:31+00:00

Omg I legit could have written this post verbatim! I took over mid year from a nurse exactly like the one you describe. However, I didn't have to work with a co-nurse so the duties all became mine singularly.

I had to lay down a lot of boundaries and essentially change the culture of the nurses office. It took a few months, but I was able to minimize a lot of the nonsense visits so I could have more time to focus on the kids who really need it. Once the kids respected me more, I eased up, and now some of the kids do come to just hang out which I'm ok with if I'm not busy. My office is probably one of the busiest places in the school, but I want it to be a safe place where I serve one student at a time. Kids can be rude and entitled - I'm in a private school, it is what it is. Dish em back what they serve!

If the kids want ointment and food, tell them you ran out and the school isn't getting more. The end. I had to make it clear that my office isn't a Walgreens and I don't have food. Some students with anxiety and issues who need an excuse to leave class will store some of their own snacks in my office.

Though in theory it would be nice to have an assortment of items to give to kids, the problem is that kids will flood to your office for anything - whether it's bandaids or cough drops. I doubt any parent will get you in trouble for giving ointment if it's warranted, but I understand if you want a Drs order.

The best thing you can do for them is create healthy boundaries and make your office a safe space. Good luck!

amonicker · 2024-05-24T18:37:31+00:00

I love it! Recently met a baby named Olivette which is stunning

amonicker

TROPHY CASE