New School Nurse Orientation

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 26
POLICY CODE: JLC/GCAAB

TO: Superintendents of Public Schools, Private School Administrators, and School Nurses
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner, Maine Department of Education
DATE: September 21, 2009
SUBJECT: New School Nurse Orientation

We are pleased to offer all new school nurses a three-day series of essential knowledge and skills needed to be effective in a very demanding and challenging role. The dates are:

            September 25, 2009
            November 13, 2009
            March 19, 2010

The first day of orientation will include information regarding Maine Department of Education certification requirements and an overview of the role of the school nurse. Other topics include: H1N1 and seasonal influenza updates and clinic organization; surveillance role of the school nurse and reporting increases in absenteeism among students and staff; and information regarding screenings for vision, hearing, height, and weight. Subsequent training days will include: information on common communicable diseases and rashes; 504 regulations, immunization requirements for school-age children; reporting child abuse and neglect; record keeping and documentation; and useful resources for developing student health care plans on a variety of chronic conditions.

Each the three days of orientation will offer different topics. New school nurses are encouraged to attend all three sessions. The training will be held at the Burton Cross State Office Building in Augusta. There is no cost for registration. Lunch will not be provided; however, there is a café in the building.

I encourage you to send new school nurses to these trainings. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn and practice skills needed for school nursing and the chance to network with experienced school nurses. The transition from hospital and/or other nursing settings can be challenging. The goal of the orientation sessions is to assist with a smooth adjustment to the school setting.

For additional information, contact Nancy Dube, School Nurse Consultant, Department of Education at 624-6688 or nancy.dube@maine.gov .