by Heather Colley

Created on: August 16, 2009   Last Updated: August 17, 2009

Getting your health center ready for back-to-school should have started before you left for the summer. Hopefully, you inventoried your stock and reordered the supplies you need for this year. Think about school activities that may require more supplies, and be sure to order extra for those occasions.

Check the expiration dates on any medications you have on hand, as well as the medicines handed to you by the parents. Keep a list of these so the parents can bring in a fresh supply as necessary.

Leaf through your various forms, ie. doctor's orders and permission slips, and make enough copies to get through the first couple of months, at least. A good tip is to have a binder with each of your originals protected in plastic for quicker reference. It will be hard to find time to make more copies during the first month. Make a list of the children you are aware have medical problems that require a doctor's order for medications, and mail those to the parents. The sooner you get these forms back, the sooner you can treat the children.

Get a schedule of breaks, gym times, and lunch periods so you can schedule when the children need to see you for catheterizations, blood glucose checks, or inhalers. If you have tube feedings, you will need to schedule when to feed them close to lunchtimes.

Sort through your forms, and pull out the ones you used from the previous year. File these in the file cabinet, as you are required to keep this documentation for at least three years, depending on your state regulations.

Make a list of topics to discuss at the teacher's meeting. For this year, a topic of discussion will cover Swine Flu, Seasonal Flu, Asthma symptoms, and other issues currently facing your state. Give each teacher a list of what symptoms to watch for so you can be notified. Also stress to the teachers to inform you of any absences due to flu-like symptoms. Guidelines covering this topic can be found at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/toolkit/ and also at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/schools/schoolguidance.htm. Review these websites so you can answer any questions the school staff will be sure to have.

While on the topic of swine flu, several school nurses have been creating a working flowsheet of which symptoms children are experiencing when they come to you or are reported absent from school. This flowsheet may possibly come in handy if a case of swine flu is diagnosed in your school. You can then refer to the flowsheet to see which children may need to be tested as well. The flowsheet includes the child's name, teacher, grade, and a check list of symptoms. These include coughing, sneezing, high fever, recent contact with other ill people, weakness, or lack of appetite. If utilized, the nurse can add anything specific she is looking for, and modify it for any illness.

As soon as possible, you will want to get kindergarten rosters so you can start screening for vision and dental, and review their shot record. If your state allows exemptions, be sure to get a copy for your records.

Schedule a training session for staff members to refresh how to administer medications, epi-pens, or perform procedures such as catheterizations or glucose checks.

This is only a portion of what is required for the school nurse to do to begin the school year, so add any other duties you see fit.

The beginning of a school year is a busy time for everyone, including the nurses. Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and enjoy the experiences of life as only seen through the eyes of a child, and know that child is depending on you to stay healty.

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