Feeling guilty b/c I thought she was okay

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in Coronary Care, School Nurse.

Yesterday I had two 8th grade students in the same PE class get hurt. One girl (who I see often) twisted her ankle. Someone stepped on the other girl's big toe. They sat in the office in the jr high building for a hour before I could leave the elementary building (my main building) to check them out. They each had ice bags and the affected foot elevated on chairs when I arrived.

I didn't think either of them were seriously injured. They chatted casually with each other and cried if some one asked them about their injuries. There was not any swelling, discoloration or deformity. Cap refill was good and pulses were fine. I suggested that they return to class and they cried. I called each of the mothers. Moms had conversations with their daughters. Moms agreed that they should go back to class.

I gave the girls 10 minutes to get out of their PE clothes and get to class or they would be unexcused for that class (the last class of the day). I escorted the girls until they were back in class. I have to admit that I was a rather cold when talking to them because I wanted to cut through the drama that is so extreme in that class.

It turns out that the big toe was broken in 3 places (according to "Doc-in-a-box". How that happens from getting stepped on is still a mystery.

But I am feeling guilty for not being more sympathetic. Any body else have "oops" stories that they are not too proud to share? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You did fine. It's just a broken toe; tape them up and send them back to class:smokin:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't feel too bad about sending the girls to class with a broken toe...It was only 1 class, not the whole day at least!

When I was in 1st grade (many years ago!), I arrived to school early and was playing on the monkey bars, which were wet with morning dew. Sure enough, I fell off, landing on my left wrist. I started crying and went to the yard aide, who took me to the school nurse. The nurse looked at my wrist, had me bend my wrist and fingers and because I was able to move them, sent me to class. After being in school all day with wrist pain, I went home at the end of the day and told my parents what happened (they had never been called). They took me to the doctor for x-rays and sure enough, I had a broken wrist. By that time, the swelling was so bad, I had to wait a few days to get a cast. My family was very upset with the school nurse, who I'm sure felt bad for keeping me there all day. Nevertheless, I survived. From that day forward, the nurse was much more willing to listen to any complaints I had! :nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i feel as a nurse u should have shown more compassion. :nono: i understand wanting to get pass the drama, but you are the RN. they come to you for help and support, so even if you have to turn your back and count to 10 then do that. think if it was you or a loved one, would u want to be talked to in a cold way by someone that is suppose to be showing care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

As a nurse and mother of a 13 year old daughter, I would have done the same.

You thoroughly assessed the injuries, provided appropriate first aid and involved the parents.

Had you ignored a purple, swollen toe, that would be another thing. But we know that fractures are not always immediately apparent. Her parents did the right thing by seeking medical care based on their later assessment of their daughter, and you did the right thing based on your initial assessment.

No guilt warranted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

she did all the right things, just showed no compassion and was cold in the process because she didn't want to hear any unnecessary drama.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

ignore lunden, you did the right thing. at times we have to be the clear thinker in the group, while the students will be very dramatic, we cannot get involved in that. you took charge and you did call the parents. ultimatley they had the final say. you did your job, and that's that.

you are the school nurse !:nuke:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

You did just fine. You can't always show too much sympathy for middle schoolers. They can be drama-feeders and if these are frequent fliers like you seem to think and you gave a complete assessment, and notified the parents, you did fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/GYN, peds hospice, home visit, school.
i feel as a nurse u should have shown more compassion. :nono: i understand wanting to get pass the drama, but you are the RN. they come to you for help and support, so even if you have to turn your back and count to 10 then do that. think if it was you or a loved one, would u want to be talked to in a cold way by someone that is suppose to be showing care.

Nice finger wag.:angryfire

I agree, way too much drama in the middle school. :icon_roll to th e OP, You did fine, good assessment, called parent, f/u. and not being unnecessarily drawn in by the student. You can always apologize to the student, or use this as a teaching moment.

The student should have taken the pass to class, not try to manipulate you with her friend and tears..... There's going to be second guessing yourself in the future and you'll learn from those moments; just provide good nursing, be firm when you must, and hang in there. :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You didn't have an xray available to you and based on your assessment I would have come to the same conclusion with no other signs of a fracture. I agree that sometimes you have to adjust your attitude on a case by case basis to cut down on the manipulation. If part of your guilt comes from the way you acted, then do it differently next time. We all live and learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing.
i feel as a nurse u should have shown more compassion. :nono: i understand wanting to get pass the drama, but you are the RN. they come to you for help and support, so even if you have to turn your back and count to 10 then do that. think if it was you or a loved one, would u want to be talked to in a cold way by someone that is suppose to be showing care.

No offense - but do you work with middle schoolers day in and day out? If you are too nice - they will eat you with a spoon and spit you out!!

If I sent home every little tummyache and small injury - my school would be empty!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
No offense - but do you work with middle schoolers day in and day out? If you are too nice - they will eat you with a spoon and spit you out!!

If I sent home every little tummyache and small injury - my school would be empty!!

:cheers: You said a mouthful right there!

I concur with most of the rest of the posters--you don't have Xray vision, you did all the right things, touched all your bases. You made an educated decision with the information at hand and I'm sure when you called the parent you must have educated her on what to watch for and when to seek treatment. Mom followed your advice and the child received treatment. Who among us has not made a similar decision?

In my work with middle schoolers I find that with certain students I have to keep some distance. Eighth grade girls can really get it wound up, and more so if they have an audience. It's fine to acknowledge their pain, try to make them comfortable, and then move on. You don't have time in your day to get bogged down in a non-life-threatening drama. Kudos for doing a good job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment