Annoyed -just a vent

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Well, as you guys know - I personally make the laws for my state. I am sure the rest of you do to. I try to go out of my way to make it as difficult and cumbersome as possible for both the parents and myself. I think it adds more to the job that way. Oh wait - no I don't - it's just what everyone thinks

The end of the first month of school has happened. I have taken a really laid back stance. The state says that kiddos need to submit a physical within 30 days of admission - i've even given a few day's grace beyond that. One of my colleagues now has a young relative in the school. I initially spoke to the relative's parent to inform them that i needed the info post haste - but there was little feedback. Then i find out there is an insurance issue and can it wait over 6 additional weeks for the insurance issue to clear up? I said no - and offered several ideas for low cost or no cost physical.

Fast forward to today. Relative comes in and gives me the paperwork i need. Was nice as anything. Still needs a vaccine, but has to wait due to shot timing. I advised that it would be fine if they had to wait an extra week until the insurance kicked in. Colleague stops me in the hall and gets nasty telling me that the physical cost her $200 because she had it done at the FastMed. And that the Doctor said I was wrong about the rules.

Excuse me?? The doctor said I was wrong about the rules of what is needed for healthcare documentation in education?? Are these the same professionals that routinely fail to realize that children coming from out of the country need varicella vaccine to start school? Or that kindergartners need DTP, polio, and an MMR after the 4th birthday? No, I deal with this day in and day out, that doctor i'll bet does probably 4 school physicals a year.

So go ahead - be annoyed at me, dear colleague. I've worked here for 4 years and in that time i've learned that you are difficult to get along with anyhow. I have no need to stay on your good side, but given the 6-8 field trip requests you dump on my desk a year (last minute, mind you) perhaps you have reason to stay on mine.

aah... i do feel a bit better now... thanks

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If you give an inch, they take a mile!!! I would make a copy of the rules and mail or e-mail it to that wonderful physician because obviously he needs to be educated.

And next time, don't even give an inch - no good deed goes unpunished.

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Ug. I feel your pain. Our state exclusion date is fast approaching and I have 16 students who will not be allowed to attend school starting October 15 if their paperwork is not in.... getting a hold of these parent is like pulling teeth!

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Specializes in School nursing.

Ugh. ::hugs:: The struggle is real. I have so many 7th graders will no documented Tdap. Many have actually had it, but getting the paperwork that states that into my office can be like pulling teeth.

That physician at FastMed must not be a pediatrician. And if he/she was....:banghead:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Does the news from NY help?

High Court Won't Hear Challenge to New York School Vaccine Rules | NBC New York

People need to myob and worry about what they know and not try to do other's work.

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Flare, I know you are mad, but that was truly a great read, from the first sentence onward.

'Tis a frustrating road we walk.

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I have to say that I really enjoy seeing what school nursing is really like from inside the office!

Honestly, I love our school nurse. Both of my kids are frequent fliers yet she has never been short with them (or me when she calls)

I hope the parents at your school feel the same!

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It gets exhausting when everyone assumes we just make up rules to make things as difficult as possible! I mean how many times do I have to hear a parent say "Why can't I just sign something and give you permission to give Mary so and so over the counter medication?". It's not me who decided that, it's NY State! I really love it when the media tells about the terribly mean School Nurse who excluded kids from attending school because of missed vaccinations. Seriously people do you really believe the responsibility here lies with the School Nurse? Come on!

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I don't like that you are frustrated, but I completely empathize with your frustration.

We don't have to chase the Tdap and 2nd varicella my state...yet. But my religious/philosophical vaccine exemptions seem shocked when I ask them to sign the same paper every year.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

It would be really really helpful and quite a bit more result oriented if the student could not be enrolled until all the state mandates have been fulfilled. But......you know the variants of the rest of the story. Hang tough. Don't let this co-worker take up too much space in your head.

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Does your state have a state wide immunization database? For those in Missouri. ShowMeVax is an incredible time (and gray hair) saver. Just curious. What states to have this type of database?

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Which reminds me of a phrase that I have stated over and over.. "Why do we have rules if we aren't going to enforce them!!":wacky: :no:

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