When do you call home?

[mc3]

I am questioning myself on this. I think it's because I've gotten gun shy from getting screamed at by parents. Like every school nurse, I see many tummy aches, headaches, sore throats, ear aches, etc. I always call home whenever a child bumps his head, has a serious injury,fever or is vomiting (that an adult sees!), etc. My problem seems to be with the lower grades - K, first and second. This year I have alot of complaints from this age group regarding tummy aches. After I check them out, have them use the bathroom, take their temp, eat crackers, etc. I feel they should be able to go back to class. But part of me thinks I should let their parents know, because of their ages. I end up calling the parent in most cases because I don't want the child to go home and say I told the nurse I was sick, and she didn't do anything. Again, I've had the unpleasant experience of dealing with many angry parents that I didn't call, so now I think I overdo it. It's starting to take too much time away from other things I need to do as I have about 950 kids.

How do you all handle these types of complaints? Again, the I have no problems calling when it's the bigger issues, but the smaller ones like this?

Thanks,

mc3:nurse:

[Windchaser22]

Oof I had an angry dad today. 8th grader was out all week and came in with a note to return to school today and a 101.3 temp. Called dad and left a message. Called mom who whined about being 1.5 hrs away. Parents are divorced. No custody issues on file. Dad upset that I called mom and wanted to know why I called her and to not do that again. He Yelled at the poor kid. I reminded him that mom is on the call list that he provided. We have 900 students and he thinks without a court order I'll remember who to call. Geez. How about not sending an obviously sick kid to school! Sometimes we can't win. Rant over.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

Oof I had an angry dad today. 8th grader was out all week and came in with a note to return to school today and a 101.3 temp. Called dad and left a message. Called mom who whined about being 1.5 hrs away. Parents are divorced. No custody issues on file. Dad upset that I called mom and wanted to know why I called her and to not do that again. He Yelled at the poor kid. I reminded him that mom is on the call list that he provided. We have 900 students and he thinks without a court order I'll remember who to call. Geez. How about not sending an obviously sick kid to school! Sometimes we can't win. Rant over.

Keep reminding yourself - There are some people you will NEVER make happy no matter what you do. That's on them, not you.

[SnowyJ, RN]

I too send a note home for the little ones if I don't think it is too serious. I made the note myself, and just copy a bunch.

The top says "Notes Home From The Nurse" and the name of our school. Below that is says:

To________(Fill in Mom, Dad etc.) Student_______________ Date__________

Your child came to me at ______ today with the following:

___Headache

___Stomach ache

___Sore Throat

___Earache

___Dizziness

___Breathing Problem

___Allergy Or Cold symptoms

___Rash

___Other

___Injury Type:___________ As a result of:____________________________________________________________

Action taken/Comments:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___ Parent Signature:___________________________(Return if checked.)

Your Name, RN

Phone

email

I find this note is a good way to communicate when you are busy and don't have tome to call for every little thing. It has been very well received by the parents. I put some clip art graphics on it and use a fun font. Obviously, I don't use this for potentially serious issues, but for minor issues, so far so good.

[1proudpapa]

Greetings, I'm well aware that many of you are school nurses, staff and the like but I am a father and recently I encountered a situation which I was displeased with concerning my 10 year old daughters visit to the school nurse. First off I will say my daughter is not a "frequent flier" and so I am not too concerned with her visiting the school nurse often. The other week she came home and informed me that she had been playing at lunch time or recess and got dizzy and claims she felt like she was going to pass out. I let her go on.....she told me that she visited the school nurse, who gave her several cups of water as the conclusion was that she may have been dehydrated. I was pleased to hear of the solution as it was a most likely scenario. The next day I called the school nurse ( which there are several in rotation) and asked her what their policy was on contacting parents because although I was pleased with the treatment, I would've appreciated a simple courtesy notice of her short visit. The school nurse proceeded to tell me (in a condescending manner) that they cannot call parents for every bump and scrape. I however requested that I would like to be notified (via any one of the several methods available) for any visit to the school nurse concerning my daughter. My daughter has asthma and takes anxiety medication and it is documented in her school health record but regardless of even that, I feel it is vitally important to ensure at least one form of communication is sent out to parents (if not all....at lest parents who specifically request such communication). many of you are shaking your heads by now and ready to blurt out the multitude of children in your care etc....but as a school aged child's parent I urge you to take an objective look at this situation. Any little bump, bruise, tummy ache, or complaint of illness can have an underlying issue that you may not be aware of i.e. a child could have fallen playing at the park over the weekend and monday they report to the nurse complaining of a headache......most would treat it as a simple headache and treat accordingly.....sadly many may not even investigate and on the other hand the child may not divulge due to embarrassment etc. but in this situation if the school nurse sends a simple note home via email, text etc....it allows that parent to make an informed decision or at the very least be on a low alert status as to their childs health. The truth is that most school educators and nurses have a tough job caring for many children and they have to play many roles from parents, to nurses, to councilors etc so the first instinct is to treat children quickly and efficiently without utilizing too much time and utilizing valuable resources.....i get it.....but for every child that comes into the nurses station with a complaint there is a parent or parents who love that child and who are always concerned about their health. Although I feel I was sort of listed as "one of those paranoid parents" that is the first time I've actually communicated with a school nurse because it occurred to me that I should have receive a courtesy notice regarding her visit. I'm not requesting a dissertation but just a simple form of communication. One nurse on here believes she is "going overboard" to avoid getting screamed at by parents but those aren't angry parents.....they are caring parents and I personally feel that it is a good practice not only to avoid liability issues but in this day and age communication abilities are so accessible and easy to use that if they are avoided then a school or nurse deserves the repercussion. remember.....i'm not an angry parent.....i'm a concerned and loving parent.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I have the luxury of only seeing 10-12 students a day with 2 students with meds. Given the info you have provided, I would not have called, either. Your daughter, at 10, is very capable of communicating her complaints to you, should they persist. Your profile doesn't give any info and the resurrection of this zombie post for a complaint you have gives me pause. I am not sure if you are a nurse, or what area you may be familiar with. I also work acute care and I would not be calling a mid level or physician for every untoward event. There are those parents that need to be uber involved in their kids lives, that's fine, but please don't project your involvement on every person your child comes in contact with, that is unbelievably egocentric. Home schooling may be an option should you feel that is appropriate for everyone around her be that involved. She was dehydrated, it did not recur and really, that was that. I am sure you would have been notified had she needed a second visit.

[AdobeRN]

I am sorry proudpapa - I do not call every parent of a kid that walks thru my doors - I just don't have time for that. I see anywhere from 30-75 kids a day - this number does not include my scheduled meds/treatments/procedures etc. Parents that require TLC like yourself ( I do have about a dozen of them) would be flagged in my computer system and I would call you EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I see your child but this is not the norm.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I am sorry proudpapa - I do not call every parent of a kid that walks thru my doors - I just don't have time for that. I see anywhere from 30-75 kids a day - this number does not include my scheduled meds/treatments/procedures etc. Parents that require TLC like yourself ( I do have about a dozen of them) would be flagged in my computer system and I would call you EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I see your child but this is not the norm.

I have 2, and 1 of those I have reduced calls to real events, and she is OK with that. My thought on this is that is their problem, not the schools, especially in a clinic as busy as yours. Really, you can see a bandaid and ask your child what happened.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

agreed. If i made a 2 minute call for each of the 60 visits i see on average it would be 2 hours on the phone. Just for those little FYI calls which would irritate 98% of the parents receiving them. If you, Proud papa, require special services and need calls after each visit then you need to set that up with your child's nurse individually and not make blanket statements. There is no reason why your 10 year old child couldn't relay the details of her visit. Had her office taken place in my office I assure you, you would have received the same level of communication unless there was a repeat visit showing some sort of deterioration of condition. Children come in complaining that they are dizzy all the time. As evidenced by your child's experience, it's often from thirst or hunger. It resolves quickly and the child goes about their day.

[kidzcare]

Your profile doesn't give any info and the resurrection of this zombie post for a complaint you have gives me pause. I am not sure if you are a nurse, or what area you may be familiar with. I also work acute care and I would not be calling a mid level or physician for every untoward event.

For real Mr!! Good post.

This post has not been active in over a year and a half. If you are upset about something that happened at your kid's school... talk to them. Don't create a profile to give unsolicited advice to school nurses who don't know that details of your situation or the school's situation.

[grammy1]

As all of the others have said, if you feel you need to be notified every time your child is seen, you need to let the clinic know. Be prepared though, you will get a call for every bandaid, scrape, and feminine protection given. If I called for every "dizziness" I'd spend half of my life on the phone, especially when they try to run the 1/2 mile and didn't eat any breakfast. Sigh

[CalNevaMimi, LPN, LVN]

*visions of snowflakes in my head*

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

*visions of snowflakes in my head*

Though the vision was there, I refrained.