5 Things School Nurses Should Do to Round Out the School Year
The end of the school year is just around the corner! While it can be tempting to coast into summer, school nurses have a lot that needs to be accomplished before the students leave the building. By taking care of a few important tasks at the end of the school year, you’ll make things easier for yourself as the next school year gets underway.
1. Complete Assessments and Reports
Every school and district has required paperwork for school nurses to complete at various times throughout the year. Double-check the requirements for end-of-year reporting and assessments. Be sure that you are up to date, have the materials you need, and know your deadlines to turn in paperwork. It is also a good time to follow up on things submitted earlier in the year and make sure that those have been received and are on file.
2. Make Arrangements for Medication Pickup or Disposal
Depending on your school’s policy on student medications, reach out to parents to arrange medication pickup or let them know when to expect medications to come home with their student. If your school does not allow you to send medication back home with students without written consent from parents, get forms out promptly so this can be arranged. Be sure to state a clear deadline after which leftover medication will be disposed of properly.
3. Evaluate Equipment Needs
Take a look at the equipment in your office and make notes about what should be replaced, what needs repair, or any gaps that need to be filled. School nurses who work in more than one school should be sure to do this for each location. Submit any requests for equipment through the proper channels so that everything can be taken care of over the summer.
4. Prepare Supply Order for Next School Year
Spend time reviewing the supplies that you have used throughout the school year and begin to prepare your supply order for the upcoming year. Organize backstock carefully to make sure that your order is accurate and you are not wasting budget on unnecessary items. Check expiration dates for things that will need to be tossed over the summer or early in the school year and order replacements early.
5. Create a Follow-Up List for the Upcoming Year
Make a list of students with ongoing medical issues whose files you should review at the beginning of the upcoming school year. This will help you to keep track of changes in treatment and medications, keeping you up to speed and allowing you to provide the best care for your students. If possible, reach out to their parents before the start of the school year so that you can be fully prepared to care for them once school is back in session.
Closing out the school year the right way helps you to get off on the right foot as the next school year begins. When you walk out the door feeling prepared for the next year, you’ll have an even more relaxing summer!
If one of your goals for next school year is to further your career in nursing, why not consider all your options? Check out our latest school-based nursing positions here.
