You ATE that in my Clinic???

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in L&D, OR, PACU, School nursing.

Recently in a nursing meeting at my district, a nurse announced that she frequently fed students IN the clinic. Hunger, tummy ache etc. being the rationale.

Not sure if I was the only nurse at the meeting that gagged a little. Is it just me or do others allow eating in the clinic?

Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Yes, I keep granola bars in my office for those little tummies that are hungry. I also have club crackers for upset tummies. I have a diabetic student who gets a tray brought to him in my office so I can monitor him if his blood sugar is below 80.

Well, I don't have a "clinic" . . . . . I'm roaming all over 11 campuses.

(I know - y'all are sick of me saying that) ;)

We keep granola bars and cereal. Usually if a kid comes up in the morning saying their tummy hurts, the secretaries give them a bowl of cereal unless they are feverish and vomiting. Many kids come to school hungry. Usually a bowl of cereal or a granola bar makes them feel better and back to class they go.

"Clinic" on each campus is the front office on each campus. School secretaries, principals, etc. No nurse unless I just so happen to be on campus.

I'm really not sure what your concerns are about eating in the clinic. We give people food in the ER.

Our school nurse keeps crackers, juice, and cheese on hand. I know this because my son occasionally comes in after a rough bus ride w/ mild carsickness and she gives him some Ritz and an apple juice to settle his stomach (after checking with me the first time).

Specializes in School Nurse, Pediatrics, Surgical.

Yep have food at our school. Kids can have their lunches or snacks in our rooms. Yes I'm curious where ya coming from?

Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

I eat my lunch in my clinic. Although, I will wipe my desk down before eating and after I eat. My guidance counselor keeps food in her office for kids who may need a snack/meal and they can also eat in her office. I typically do not let kids eat in my clinic due to the germ factor AND because my clinic is small....the only place for them to eat is on the cot. And kids are messy....crumbs....bugs...our night custodian does NOT vacuum my office....I have carpet. Yuck.

Trust me, the Health Office is cleaner than ANY room in the school. I am crazy about sanitizing.

Of course, if I have a sick child on the cot, I would not have anyone eat in the clinic.

I do give out Club Crackers and Gatorade or water.

Occasionally a student will eat lunch in the Health Office, esp if they are feeling unwell, but want to try lunch. I keep a trash can nearby.

Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I have diabetic kids eat in my office all the time. If their blood sugars are low, I am not sending them back to class to eat. They stay with me so we can recheck blood sugars at appropriate intervals. I eat at my desk, but no students touch that space.

I have granola bars, gummies and saltines in my office. And diabetics keep food supplied by parents in my office as well.

Specializes in School Nurse.

Sure, I give kids saltines and peppermints for upset stomachs. I also hand out Nutrigrain bars and granola bars to kids that do not get breakfast. I keep cool water for students with headaches. I do not get a lunch break so I snack at my desk. My clinic is one of the cleanest rooms in the school so I have no issue with it!

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i have crackers and juice for the hungry and hypoglycemic. I tend to sip on my own drink throughout the day - but also - i'm pretty vicious about sanitizing my office throughout the day. The heavy duty lysol is always within reach, so are the sani wipes and various other serious germicides.

I know the idea is gross, OP, but we really do clean.

And kids will eat anywhere, I've learned.

Hahhahahaha on all the saltines comments. I haven't bought mine yet!

Specializes in School nursing.

Yep, like many above, I stock juice, crackers for diabetics and those student that miss meals (usually breakfast). I have a student desk eating can be done at and I wipe it down after. I am a clean freak in my office!

I also eat my lunch at my desk - we do not have a cafeteria nor a teacher/staff lounge, so there is not where else for me to go - you know, if I get a chance to leave my office, of course ;).

Sure, there are germs in my office despite the cleaning. But to be honest, the classroom are probably worse as they don't get cleaned as often as my office does...

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