Average "Wait Time" For A Parent?

Farawyn · Jun 1, 2015

Are you kidding me? The kids text their parents from the bathroom and the parents are in my office before the kids even get there!

Your situation doesn't sound great,OP> Why 2 hours?

CAdreamerRN · Jun 1, 2015

That is super frustrating! Poor kids and poor you!

I'd say my average for elementary is about 20 minutes. Most of my families have a parent or grandparent at home. Some show up and it seems like they must have already been in the parking lot and others say they will try to find someone to pick up their kid early, which means the student is with me until the end of the day because no one comes. That has only happened three times this year. No policy on how long they can take. What could happen if parents didn't comply?

enuf_already · Jun 1, 2015

OP, while I don't work in a school, it may be the nature of your student population that affects how quickly someone can get there.

For typical kids whose parents work, asking a neighbor to step in to help may not be a big deal. If the child has special needs, it becomes a huge deal, even with a backup plan.

If the parent works, they might not just be able to leave. They might have to have it approved and find coverage. Then they have to drive to pick up the child, worried about them as well as the consequences of missing work.

The parent is likely not angry with you. You just happen to be on the receiving end of their last two very stressful hours.

I work with kids whose parents worry every day about losing their jobs between missing work for medical appointments and the days when their child must miss school for illness or snow days.

jodys-girl · Jun 1, 2015

I honestly don't know why it takes so long!?!? Most of them don't work. Some don't have transportation and while that is unfortunate for them, I think as a parent it's their responsibility to plan accordingly. If I didn't have a car or reliable transportation, you can bet I'd have at least 5 people with cars on my speed dial.

mc3, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2015

I've had some parents leave their kids for 2+ hrs; most seem to be able to pick up in an hr. or less. Of course, it's the kids who have fevers but are still running around my office asking me "why" 50 gazillion times about something while trying to tear my office apart that take forever to arrive. Even if it's just 15 minutes :yes:

I did have 1 parent whose child had a fever, and flat out just refused to pick them up. At all. The AP ended up calling the police for child abandonment and DCF got involved.

My go to if I can't get a parent to pick up the phone is to call the police on their non-emergency number and have them do a well-person check. That's usually brings a parent in quickly. An added bonus is said parent usually gets a strict talking to by the officer about being available to the school in case of emergency. I only use this strategy if all else fails, I've called 50 phone numbers are non are working, the kid is really sick, or nobody answers their phone. I don't want to wear out my welcome with the police. Every time I have, though, the parent has been home...funny how they never heard their phone ring... Oh, another strategy my social worker to me to use. Block your telephone number temporarily on your cell phone, then call the parent. They see it's not the school calling but they're curious to see who it is, so they inevitably pick up. When done with your conversation, unblock your phone number. It's worked for us!

mc3:cat:

LMTCBnurse · Jun 2, 2015

I work at Pre-k and Kindergarten school (800 students). The average is 30 min but have waited up to 2 1/2 hours for parent to pick up sick student. I have a few special toys for kids to play with only when they are waiting for pick up. I let them play for 15 to 20 min then have a snack of cracker and water. Then it is time to go potty, and rest on the cot. Fevers usually take naps. Parents always seem upset but I know it is the situation and not me. They do not like it when I tell them that the kid needs to stay home tomorrow also. But it is part of the work. Once the student is gone I soak the toys, clean up the cot, and let the next student rest. It is a never ending day.

SnowyJ, RN · Jun 2, 2015

The longest wait I've had was over 3 hours. It's ridiculous. I've even had parents tell me they have "no way to get there" even when their child has a high fever, is vomiting, etc. I tell them it's not a CHOICE. "Call a friend, a neighbor, someone." They always manage to get here at some point. Even if it takes hours.

My feeling is that a sick child should always be a priority. I am a working mother, and I guarantee my child would not be waiting hours at school if he was sick! I'd find a way.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2015

I have some parents that pick up in 15 minutes; some take 2+ hours, and I've had a student in my office waiting for almost 4.5 hours once (!). I do work with older kids (grades 7-12) that can get themselves to school (urban area, no busing after 6th grade), so last year I made a form that allowed me, with verbal permission from a parent, to dismiss a child on their own if I determined they were sick but able to get themselves safely home, usually on public transportation.

Of course, I realize this doesn't work for you, OP. If a student has been in my office for more than 1 hour and the parent hasn't told me any expectations about commute (or they have and should have been there already), I call again. And again. Luckily haven't had to get DCF involved this year, but the good thing about older kids is they have cell phones and when *I* can't get a parent, I then give students permission to call the parent on their cell phone. Parent almost always answers. I love the blocked number thing; I have called on my cell before for parents I know won't pick up a school number - usually because the phone call they get from the school is from the dean about discipline.

ohiobobcat · Jun 2, 2015

Kids in my school live in 4 towns. I would say the farthest kids out probably live 40 minutes away? At least 1/2 hour away. We are a rural district. Assuming the parent is awake, has showered, and has transportation, the longest I have had a student wait in my office has been 1.5-2 hours.

I have called parents to tell them their child is unresponsive, EMS is here, and the student is exhibiting seizure-like activity. The answer I get is "My husband has the car and he doesn't get a lunch break until noon." :no:

AdobeRN · Jun 2, 2015

Just depends. I work in the area where many students usually have one parent that stays home and/or works from home - usually 20-30 minutes is the average. I do have a handful that take their time getting here but I call and bug them every 30 minutes and if they are not here after an 1.5 hours (when they tell me on the phone "Im on the way" or "be there in a few minutes") I have my AP call them - usually that gets them here in a few minutes.

kidzcare · Jun 2, 2015

Generally, it's not too long. 15 minutes or so. An hour is not unheard of though and I've had up to 3.5 hours. I'm glad my students are old enough that I tell them "bring a book" and they keep occupied if it will be a while. I imagine a preschool crowd would be hard to keep from getting into mischief for that long!