Calling parents

Published

Ok, so this afternoon my principal stops in and tells that I need to call every parent for anything besides a bandaid. He asked how I made a decision as to who to call. I replied, "nursing judgment". He said parents want to be kept in the loop more and I am to call for all but the most minor things. Apparently my five years of college and 30+ years of experience no longer matter. It just seems that the longer I do this, the less parents trust me. Not just me but the teachers too, and the schools in general. You want called at work every time your kid asks for a TUMS after lunch, sure, I can so that. Oh, and I am in high school, not elementary. Now of course I will follow the directive I was given, but really? Not sure if this post is more of a rant or a question, but is anyone else dealing with this type of thing?

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
OK, then, do this. For each child that comes up, use an average of 5 minutes per phone call (look up the number, make the call usually leaving messages, talking to parent when they call back). Multiply by the number of visits per day, i.e. 30 visits x 5 minutes each equals 150 minutes. Divided by 60 = 2.5 hrs. Per day. Instead of seeing sick children taking care of meds and handing emergencies. Does he really think that is a wise use of your time??? I swear some of these principals have academic smarts but are truly clueless in the real world...:banghead:

Good luck!

OOOOHHH the maths!!! Good job!

Seriously....rant worthy, yes. I would use my judgment to interpret minor if this was my directive and I'd also do a lot of emailing or get me a triplicate form with check boxes (charge that to the principal) and hand one copy to the student. Because you don't have to have a conversation every time you're notifying a parent. Right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I would take a "snapshot" of an hour of the day and say something like "Please note that this is how many students are seen in the office in an hour. If I call for each one that is an additional "x" minutes." Throw the math equation in someone else mentioned and maybe a nudge nudge that additional nursing staff will be needed to perform these duties. They'll rewind what they said because budgets. Worth a shot?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My elementary school principal would like for me to call every parent but I do not. I just use nursing judgment, with that being said I do have some parents who are chronic complainers and I will call home for almost everything for those students. I swear these parents must strip their kids down and check them over daily for any scratches or bruises that are received at school, then call admin the next day and complain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK, then, do this. For each child that comes up, use an average of 5 minutes per phone call (look up the number, make the call usually leaving messages, talking to parent when they call back). Multiply by the number of visits per day, i.e. 30 visits x 5 minutes each equals 150 minutes. Divided by 60 = 2.5 hrs. Per day. Instead of seeing sick children taking care of meds and handing emergencies. Does he really think that is a wise use of your time??? I swear some of these principals have academic smarts but are truly clueless in the real world...:banghead:

Good luck!

Yes! Great post!

Would your principal be open to you setting some guidelines for when you will absolutely call? Things like head injury, things that leave a mark, borderline temps? That way there are some protocols in place but you aren't calling because Snowflake has a stomach ache after eating cupcakes and Skittles for lunch?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse.
But perhaps you can have a handy note system - I do have those as well, "your child was seen in the nurse's office note." I used it more when I worked elementary.

Which will get lost in the backpack, but meh you "notified!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Which will get lost in the backpack, but meh you "notified!"

That's what the triplicate form is for! One for you, one for them, one in case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

You should have been told which helicopter parent requests this stupidity. I would direct all parents irritated by your calls to direct their complaints to the administration.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

my admin gave me the critique that I don't call parents enough earlier this year. Ok. fine. You want it, you got it (Toyota!) So i ramped it up and started calling for more belly aches and stuffy noses and headaches. I would call and say - "i don't have any reason to send Sally home, no fever, but she's been in here a few times complaining about her allergies (headache, whatever). How would you like me to proceed as I can't give any medications and it didn;t really get any better after resting in my office for a while". Most of the time - when the parents would bother to pick up - they would just yes me to death and just check it out when they got home.

But I did do the same thing - I tried to approach the admins with the math. They didn't want to hear it. Apparently 2 hours of my day spent on the phone is just fine as long as the rest of the stuff gets done as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can only speak on this as a parent- but I find it really annoying to get calls for every little thing if I'm being honest. My son's principal requires the school nurse to call for EVERYTHING (including Band-aids!!). Mind you, my son is a very active ten year old who thinks he is a ninja, so I get a call almost daily. I used to get a little nervous when I saw the school's number pop up on my cell, but now I pretty much answer with, "What did he need a Band-Aid for this time?" or "What part of his body did he fall on and need ice for?"

I have a huge appreciation for school nurses- you are all rock stars; dealing with school guidelines, principals and teachers (and likely sometimes parents) can't be easy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In my district, I work under a nursing umbrella regardless of any school site admin. However, when I am at the school site I need to work well with the principal. It's not feasible to notify parents regarding everything! I will give students a first aid notice for minor injuries that do not require student to be sent home and document it. Head injury's will be given a head injury notice and notify parent. So, parent may be notified in the form of a letter home and it's a briefly written note. If parent requests further information, they may stop by or call me for further information on the minor concern. Try sitting down with the principal and emphasizing it is an unrealistic expectation. Food for thought, parent's do call principals and complain directly without giving you any notice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This seems excessive. I've got elementary through high school, and I'll email the elementary/middle school parents frequently, but I'm only calling if the kid needs to go home. Some of the preschool parents want phone calls for every bump and scrape, but I can imagine how annoyed the high school parents would be. I'd ask if an email would suffice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
I can only speak on this as a parent- but I find it really annoying to get calls for every little thing if I'm being honest. My son's principal requires the school nurse to call for EVERYTHING (including Band-aids!!). Mind you, my son is a very active ten year old who thinks he is a ninja, so I get a call almost daily. I used to get a little nervous when I saw the school's number pop up on my cell, but now I pretty much answer with, "What did he need a Band-Aid for this time?" or "What part of his body did he fall on and need ice for?"

I have a huge appreciation for school nurses- you are all rock stars; dealing with school guidelines, principals and teachers (and likely sometimes parents) can't be easy.

and i'm positive that your child's school nurse really doesn't want to make 65 calls a day except now has to because some helicopter mama bear didn't get a call because David came to complain about the same sore throat he's had for 3 days. (that mom has already treated.) A waste of time is had by all, but David's mom can rest easy knowing that she will get a call for every owie, boo boo, and paper cut

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion