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.
We're school nurses -we don't get breaks and lunches!! ha ha
4 grades all on field trips today, we have K and 3rd graders and PK here....maybe just maybe I get to go to the bathroom AND get lunch today!! And the principal is out of the building! Maybe some catch up paper work will get done as well, wish me luck!
Ok. I must admit. I haven't figured it out yet. Can someone clue me in?
If you scroll down to the bottom of your page, OR if you click on your Dashboard, you will see a link for the Breakroom. Also known as The Blue Side. It's the Off Topic part of AN.
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!
How does that work? If the kids go to the bus stop, does the bus driver refuse them? If mom drops them off, do they have to sit in the office until somebody comes and gets them? Will the school turn into a free babysitter?
How does that work? If the kids go to the bus stop, does the bus driver refuse them? If mom drops them off, do they have to sit in the office until somebody comes and gets them? Will the school turn into a free babysitter?
I never thought of stopping them at the bus. Hmmm..
If they show up tomorrow, then they are to come directly to my office. I call the parents who will become irate that we follow state laws that I have called them about 5-6 times since the beginning of the school year, are clearly indicated in our handbook, and had email notification of in the spring.
TECHNICALLY, according to our pesky handbook, these would be unexcused absences where no make up work could be done. But why follow our own policies??
Last year I had one student who would laugh everyday when I would ask him where the px was and then on Oct 15, I called his mom (AGAIN) and said she had to come get him. It was in my office 30 minutes later *pulls out hair and screams*
it's usually pretty tricky and involves a lot of phone calls telling people that the deadline is coming and if not in by X day student may not attend. When X day comes and paperwork is not in and student is there - I make calls, just as if student were sick. I often get a long drawn out story but often times amazingly the paperwork can be faxed right over.
Flare, ASN, BSN
4,431 Posts
We're school nurses -we don't get breaks and lunches!! ha ha