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 Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
It's a challenge sometimes when something new happens with a policy at work. And, face it. It's hard to give up what you and the students are use to.
The reality is that our world is more volatile you have to do what your school policy says. And if you don't, and something happens, it's on you.
Perhaps, for your own safety concern that you mentioned, they could install a kind of emergency light that is similar to the code buttons that are used in the hospital rooms, when there is an emergency? it would show in the Admin Office when it's lit.
Your Maintenance Team should be able to do that. And the fact that it would only be used in a true Emergency, would prompt the Admin folks to respond immediately even if it's to call 911. Just a thought.
And as far as always having the door closed, how is it different from a Physician seeing a patient from morning to evening in a Health Care environment? The only difference, is that you lock your door. You still need to protect the students' privacy right?
So yes. I am saying this gently: You are over-reacting, but with fair concern.
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!
I'm glad your principal reconsidered. I was thinking of this yesterday when I had 8 kiddos in my office (we are doing jump rope for heart, so all my asthma kids are coming in). If I had to do them one at the time, where would all of the others go?!
And as far as always having the door closed, how is it different from a Physician seeing a patient from morning to evening in a Health Care environment? The only difference, is that you lock your door. You still need to protect the students' privacy right?
So yes. I am saying this gently: You are over-reacting, but with fair concern.
The difference is that these are students, not patients. You take your child to the doctor's office, expecting them to be examined by the health care profession, as the parent you have the option to be present. On the other hand, you send your child to school to learn, not to be examined behind closed & locked doors. The expectations are different.
Specializes in Med/Surg, Emergency Room, School Nurse.
It's a challenge sometimes when something new happens with a policy at work. And, face it. It's hard to give up what you and the students are use to.
The reality is that our world is more volatile you have to do what your school policy says. And if you don't, and something happens, it's on you.
Perhaps, for your own safety concern that you mentioned, they could install a kind of emergency light that is similar to the code buttons that are used in the hospital rooms, when there is an emergency? it would show in the Admin Office when it's lit.
Your Maintenance Team should be able to do that. And the fact that it would only be used in a true Emergency, would prompt the Admin folks to respond immediately even if it's to call 911. Just a thought.
And as far as always having the door closed, how is it different from a Physician seeing a patient from morning to evening in a Health Care environment? The only difference, is that you lock your door. You still need to protect the students' privacy right?
So yes. I am saying this gently: You are over-reacting, but with fair concern.
The safety of the children will always be a concern, the safety for myself isn't what I am worried about. I can handle my own if something were to happen.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So yes I am be over reacting, but I will not put myself or anyone else in a position to be set up for failure.
With times that I have to turn out the lights d/t a migraine of a student I will not at any point in time close my door with just me and student in my clinic or at anytime for that matter.
In this case I am being selfish (meaning yes I am only thinking of myself) it only takes 1 person (it doesn't even have to be a student) to say something about my door being closed, locked, no lights on with a student in here. No questions ask because of "the world today" I would lose my job and possibly my license, not to mention potentially my own children!!
Put yourself in a position where there is no one close by, a small window in your door.
I teenage boy comes in saying that he isn't feeling well due to a head ache migraine and the light is really hurting his eyes. Per your new policy you have to shut and lock your door.
Would you shut and lock your door with just you and the student (knowing there is no emanate danger) with the lights off?
I for one will not even make that a question of would I! My door stays locked at all times but stays open. There are days that my clinic is like a revolving door. If and when potential harm comes to the students I will do everything humanly possible to keep them safe to include closing my door. But if it is just your average every day I will not.
My beliefs are that my beliefs I will not compromise myself for something that I don't believe in.
And yes if I had to close and lock my door with only me and student in it I was fully prepared to quit my job on the spot.
RNpathoteacher
27 Posts
My husband teaches high school and has the same concern. He is never alone in a classroom with a student with the door closed!