Each year when you complete an updated health form for your NFS student, you can give your permission for me to administer to your child several different over-the-counter medications. Usually, I like to call you first to be sure that there are no changes in those permissions. I also like to double-check that your child has not had a dose of a medication prior to school that might make a dose in the nurse's office a bad idea.
Sometimes, students need a specific medication at a specific time during the school day. Sometimes, students need a specific medication at school only if a specific problem comes up. This medication might be prescription (prescribed by a health care provider) or over-the-counter (purchased by the parent/ guardian).
Examples of common prescription medications given during the school day:
Antibiotics
ADHD medications
Migraine medications
Examples of common over-the-counter medications given during the school day:
Lactaid (with milk/ meals)
Specific allergy medications (if missed at home before school or if symptoms start at school)
Acid-reducing medications (prior to meals)
There are very specific Laws in the State of New Hampshire that permit School Nurses to give medication at school. All school districts must have written policies to guide safe and appropriate medication administration in school. As required, Portsmouth School Department has a medication administration policy .
FYI: Students should take the first dose of any new medication at home where they can be carefully watched to be sure they will not have any side effects.
To have medication administered (given) to your child during the school day:
Step ONE: Please contact me by phone at 603-436-0910 ext. 4552 to discuss your child's needs.
Step TWO:Fill- out & sign the Parent/ Guardian portion of the
Medication Administration Request Form (page 1 of 2). You can download the necessary form if you are able to print it at home, pick it up at NFS, or I can send it to you by mail or home with your child
Step THREE:Return the form to me; If the requested medication is over-the-counter
(non-prescription), go to Step FOUR. If the requested medication is prescription, I will fax it to the prescribing health care provider to complete the medication order
OR
Take the form to the prescribing health care provider for completion of the medication order (page 2), then bring the completed form (both sides) to me at NFS
Step FOUR:Bring a supply of medication to me at school. Prescription medications must be in a pharmacy labeled container. Over-the-Counter medications must be in an unopened original packaging
If your child needs emergency allergy medication (epinephrine injector) or a "rescue" asthma inhaler (albuterol), please go directly to the Life Threatening Allergy or Asthma page.