Since the shooting in Florida, the security policy at the High school is changing (which is a good thing); one of the changes that I am iffy about is the teachers now have to keep their doors locked and closed at all times while students are in the classrooms. The principle came to me yesterday and told be that the same applies to me as well if I have a student in the clinic, I need to lock and shut my door.
I approached her one on one and told her that I don't feel comfortable with this and "I don't want to open that can of worms". If something were ever to be said I would lose not only my job but potentially my license. I was told that there is a window in my door so it is perfectly fine and besides some teachers work one on one with the students behind closed doors as well. I work for a small private high school with only 257 students and 44 Faculty and Staff.
I have a few concerns (justified or not still concerning) 1. My clinic is super small (not attached to the main office) the nearest classroom is 50 feet down the hall. Teachers, Students pass by my clinic multiple times a day. Did I mention this a HIGH School!
2. Safety for myself. If I have to keep my door closed, who is to say that the student I am with isn't going to try and hurt me (I know this is a stretch, but it can happen). 3. There is times where I have to turn my light off when one of my migraine sufferers come in. (closing my door in that situation is just asking for trouble)
The only time I close my door is for the following reasons when I am meeting with a student, parent, and teacher, I'm leaving the clinic, or I am in the bathroom.
I understand the safety of our students is the number one priority and I would never put them in harms way. I would have no problem in an emergency situation of an intruder, gun fire; whatever shut my door with a student in the clinic, but I don't feel that I should keep it closed at all times with just me and student during normal everyday business.
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
My door does stay locked but open. So all I have to do is lift the kick stand and it shuts.
My clinic is essentially a broom closet with a bathroom. I'm isolated in the way that there is not a classroom right next door. On one side is another entrance to the main office with a short hall and on the other side is the faculty lounge. The clinic is located in the corner of a L shaped hallway. The long part is the main hall that leads to the front of the building and the short hall is our Math Wing with 6 classrooms 2 rooms are always empty as one of them is now used as an office. The other is a Lab. Normally only about 3 of those 6 are occupied during the day.
Like I told my husband last night I'm okay with losing my job because a rumor was started about me and another adult but I am not okay with losing my job and my license because of a rumor that was started about me and a student, but I would rather not give the opportunity for either of them to be started.
And nobody can hear you yelling for help if a student (or you) go down...especially with a closed, locked door. There's liability there, too.
Nope. I'm in the basement with nobody around, except for the cafeteria, which is busy for a small part of the day. I have middle schoolers. No way. My door is locked, but open. I don't trust anyone behind closed doors. We have emotionally unstable students and also students who have hit/kicked staff this year. No. Way. Jose.
My door is locked, but open with a magnet strip in place. We've had days where all door are to be shut and the principle has said that it doesn't apply to my office. I'm relieved that even my principal prefers my door open!
I have a panic button and a walkie talkie. I am in the lower level of the gym. Often the only one in the building. I have a glass door to the parking lot that is always locked and a door to the interior hall that is locked but open.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Emergency Room, School Nurse.
I have no outside access I have concrete walls all around me. I don't even get cell service in my clinic, but I do have Wifi.
I too have a walkie talkie that never gets used by anyone in the building.
The Window in my door is a 6" wide and a little under half the length of the door. Which to me isn't enough of a window for me to even consider keeping my door closed since not everything is in visible eye line.
I could probably think of many reasons on why I won't shut my door, but I have a feeling that I am going to get lots of push back on every reason I give. I guess if it comes down to shutting my door or leaving I am going to have to leave I will not compromise myself or my strong urge to C.Y.A !!
I do the same as OD and our security here says that's good enough. All classroom doors are supposed to be locked, but this year we got Magnets that cover where the door latches that are to be removed during an emergency. This way no one needs to open the door for anyone locked out that was at the bathroom or somewhere else. I have mixed feelings about that. Most teachers still get dinged for not locking their doors.
Due to where your office is, I would be really hesitant to shut the door. I'm in a similar situation, and my admins HATE whenever I need to close the door because I'm really here for emergencies and a closed door takes up time.
As a man or a woman, I would not want to be in the room with any student. They are tall 3 year olds, but with crazy hormones, and "ride emotional elevators) up and down all day. Even the sweet ones- you don't want someone with a perverted mind coming up with a version of it all.
Safety is huge. I have a Junior in HS and a 6 & 7th grader. A kid that brought a gun to school last year (said he was afraid of bullies) brought in a full clip. The went on lockdown. Only found the clip (probably the back-up clip), as he could have hidden the gun anywhere (roof, behind something, bush, etc). It was horrifying. The police swept the school and searched all the other students. He wanted to send a message of intimidation, or worse. It was the same day that the kiddos in FL went back to school. No accident!
Anyways, you need a cheap plastic wedge for the door. Hold it open a little- just enough, and also be able to quickly shut your door and replace the wedge. All rooms should have them to put under door as a way to buy time when a sociopath shoots the lock out or otherwise tries to get in.
It's a tough spot to be in. Protect yourself and reputation. That is the greater risk. But! Be ready for any type of emergency.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Emergency Room, School Nurse.
We talked again yesterday and I now can keep my door open as long as it stays locked (which it does). The principle had thought about it after we talked that first day and realized that would not be a good idea after all!
ruby_jane, BSN, RN
3,142 Posts
And nobody can hear you yelling for help if a student (or you) go down...especially with a closed, locked door. There's liability there, too.