Buddy System

tining, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2019

This happens in middle school as well. I call them "for sympathy." In Elem the "for sympathy" is also the speaker for the two. I say "I think they can speak for themselves."

So annoying.

When a pair of students arrive I ask 'who needs to be seen?' and send the other back to class, they sometimes hide outside the door - NOPE, back to class as I watch them slink off. Refuse to leave - 'I am calling your mother to tell her how disrespectful you were to the nurse, what do you think she will say?'

If the student is new I will be a little generous.

AutumnDraidean · Jun 19, 2019

I see this and I also see where the buddy thinks up a reason they're sick too. It absolutely adds to the chaos and as a sub I'm pretty stuck with it.

You might want to e-mail the teacher about the busybody student and ask that this student not be sent unless they are the one who is sick or in need of first aid. After that you might want to find out just how formal, or not, the buddy system actually is in your school and that'll help you decide what you want to do next.

If it's very formal, keep track of who gets sent as the buddy and who's respectful and helpful or...not. The "Nots" you should try saying directly and simply, what the problem is. If it persists e-mail the teacher as above.

in some districts the Littles come with a TA, that's better than sending another student. the TA stays while I make my initial assessment and plan, if the student is going home they go get the belongings, if the student will be resting they leave and come back in 10-15 minutes and if it's just first aid they wait. This is the most ideal set up I've seen and I love the schools that do it!

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2019

This happens a lot at our school, especially during recess and breaks, and it can be very annoying an unhelpful. I send the buddy back to class before they walk through my door. Perhaps you could send out a memo "if a student needs help from a buddy to escort them to the nurses office, please make sure the buddy knows they should walk the ill/injured student to the door and then report back to class."

tining, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2019

1 hour ago, BiscuitRN said:
This happens a lot at our school, especially during recess and breaks, and it can be very annoying an unhelpful. I send the buddy back to class before they walk through my door. Perhaps you could send out a memo "if a student needs help from a buddy to escort them to the nurses office, please make sure the buddy knows they should walk the ill/injured student to the door and then report back to class."

Oh, then the buddy will say 'the teacher wants me to stay' to legitimize their presence! Nope, nope, nope, adios . . .

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2019

54 minutes ago, tining said:
Oh, then the buddy will say 'the teacher wants me to stay' to legitimize their presence! Nope, nope, nope, adios . . .

TOO BAD! My office my rules! Muah ha ha ha

LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2019

I call them Moral Support.

"Are you here to see me too or just moral support?"

SN43 · Jun 20, 2019

Same here. If buddy comes with a student, I thank them for helping out and then instruct them to return to class. There is no reason for them to stay and every reason for them to be in class. Missing academic time is harmful to them. And sitting and observing students coming in and out of the health office at nurse is inappropriate in my opinion.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jun 25, 2019

i will allow it with the kinders or if i know that a kid is brand new or in the case that an ESL student is sent with their very own translator, but generally I say, "thanks! you can head back to class!" and i don't get any gripes.