Initiating Activities for the New School Nurse

How does a new School Nurse get started where there is no nurse supervisor or local plans for orientation?

The school Superintendent, or designee, should:

1. Explain the school district's philosophy of the school health program.
2. Provide a current job description for the School Nurse.
3. Provide any written school health policies and procedures, school health manual or guidelines.
4. Orient the School Nurse to the buildings and grounds.
5. Introduce the nurse to key personnel in the school(s) and district.
6. Provide the nurse with the school calendar, building schedules and individual class rosters.

Before school begins, if possible, the nurse should try to accomplish the following activities:

• Meet the building principals and office staffs. Determine communication patterns for exchange of information (e.g., mail box, phone calls, referrals to nurse, notification of teachers).
• Locate the school health office(s). Determine how health office space will be utilized. Order supplies. (See "Suggested School Health Equipment and Supplies" in Section II.)
• Locate the health records. Be familiar with the type of information to be collected; what the district policy is on confidentiality; who records the information; how up-to-date the records are; which students have health problems; and how is that information shared with those who need to know .
• Develop a School Nurse schedule to meet the identified nursing needs based on the number of schools, number and type of students, number of grades per school, days of special education staffings, and individual building schedules.
• Meet the faculty and describe the School Nurse's role and procedure for referral. Provide faculty with a copy of the Nurse's schedule.
• Meet the coordinator of special education services in each building. Find out when building level conferences are held, the procedure for referral services and how the Nurse is notified of students needing evaluation. Know who obtains permission for assessment and sets the date for team conferences.
• Get acquainted with the cafeteria manager and workers, bus driver's supervisor and the school custodian. Observe the physical facility for health hazards and determine how assistance in solving these problems might be rendered.
• Develop or update a community resource file. Become familiar with available emergency services. Ascertain local health resources such as the health and social services department, mental health services, the school health advisory council, service clubs and their areas of interest, and health care providers. Make a list of contact persons at each of the agencies.
• Become acquainted with the type of statistical data to be collected to document school nursing activities for accountability and quality assurance.
• Identify resources for professional support, such as in-service and consultation available through the local, district and state Department of Health and the state Department of Education as well as the state school nurse consultant. Request an opportunity to visit a school nurse in a neighboring district. It is an inexpensive continuing education activity and an opportunity to begin networking. Learn what printed materials, such as newsletters, mailings, and journals are available. Join the state school nurse organization.
• When familiar with this necessary information, the School Nurse should plan a tentative schedule of programs, including previously determined goals and objectives. The new School Nurse should continue the program currently in operation according to accepted policies and procedures until desirable changes can be made.

If no written procedures exist , the School Nurse should identify those with top priority and draft them for the Superintendent's approval.