Thoughts from a School Nurse You might feel a little stick!

I've had a really good morning. My friend is recovering from her surgery very well, and she's feeling good. Every parent I've tried to contact has been easy to reach, polite and quick to respond. That's not always the case, so it's made my morning a little easier. I'm also preparing to teach a CPR/First Aid class. I'm a little nervous, but that helps to keep me on my toes. A big part of nursing is teaching; I do a lot of that with the students and even some parents. I like being able to spend time one on one, but classes can set me on edge a bit.

I've talked to two friends this morning that are also school nurses. Like me, they're getting their offices ready to shut down over the summer. The next several days will be busy; finishing up paperwork, filing, pulling student files, charting... all in between taking care of the kids. I don't think a lot of people know all of the responsibilities of a school nurse. Long gone are the days of passing out band aids and ice packs. I am responsible for 850 kids and 70 staff members, give or take a few. I manage students and staff with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, seizure disorders, life threatening allergies and asthma.. to name a few. I give daily medicine to 8 students (last year it was 14), and I have nearly 60 "as needed" medications on hand. I have experienced true emergencies on campus, been involved in child abuse/neglect situations, and dealt with angry parents more than I care to mention. I've also experienced kind, innocent words from the children I've helped, appreciation from scared parents of chronically ill students, and lots of hugs. I realize my job isn't as challenging as some other positions, but it fits me perfectly and I love what I do. I'll miss it this summer!