C'Mon Now!

moreoreo · Nov 27, 2017

Monday after Thanksgiving break I have even less patience than usual for "my finger hurts. I didn't bump it. It looks normal. No it doesn't hurt when you touch it. I can move it fine" :nono:

Also I may have entered into the sinus congestion part of pregnancy. Have been super stuffy for a week. So when students c/o stuffy nose with no other symptoms I nasally tell them that congestion alone is not a reason to miss school

Farawyn · Nov 28, 2017

Know it all kids telling me about essential oils, and why to use ice instead of moist heat.

C'mon now.

WineRN · Nov 28, 2017

Tiny one: (while crying) I feel like there is something in my throat. Will I ever get my voice back again?

Me: Here, let's start with some water and I'll look at your throat.

TO: ::Drinks water:: THAT'S SO MUCH BETTER!

:Runs back to class:

moreoreo · Dec 1, 2017

Does anyone else withhold ice sometimes when teachers write "needs an ice pack" on nurse passes? (Which almost always gets a "c'mon now!" from me. It's like the passes that say, "clean and bandaid" like they are MDs writing orders--though I know they don't see it this way.)

These are written for all kinds of circumstances from "my desk slammed shut on my fingers" (yes, I will have them use one in-office and even lend it if redness/discomfort is persistent), to "I bumped my knee at recess" (3 hours ago with no real manifestation of discomfort or injury), to "my hand hurts from writing," to "my arm started hurting for no reason," to "I have a headache." (Do others ever give ice packs for headaches? I don't, but I haven't researched thoroughly and think I read in a magazine that there is indeed one small subtype of headache that benefits from cold application. I just know if I ice headaches then every tiny degree of headache will end up in the health office.)

Usually when I explain to the child why I don't think ice is needed they agree and go back to class without complaint. I have greatly cut down on ice usage in general without any real backlash though I know some adults tell children they have to complain more if they want one. I have also had a few children say, "my friend/teacher/whoever recommended an ice pack?" when I start wrapping up their visit.

But I'm proud of the small steps I've made in teaching our students how to tolerate minimal discomfort without intervention and believe it's cut down on some of our nonsense visits.

(This is a long reply for this thread but this is one of my favorite places to read about shared and unshared experiences :yeah: )

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2017

Does anyone else withhold ice sometimes when teachers write "needs an ice pack" on nurse passes? (Which almost always gets a "c'mon now!" from me. It's like the passes that say, "clean and bandaid" like they are MDs writing orders--though I know they don't see it this way.)

Not specifically for ice packs, although I use similar criteria to you. But I'm in HS so the thrill of the ice pack is considerably less for mine.

HOWEVER - when "the teacher sent me because s/he said I have a fever/feel hot" - I get great joy in writing the normal temp on the pass, and sending it back with a smiley face. I usually tell the student the teacher was using his/her dad/mom hand, which lacks accuracy.

WineRN · Dec 1, 2017

HOWEVER - when "the teacher sent me because s/he said I have a fever/feel hot" - I get great joy in writing the normal temp on the pass, and sending it back with a smiley face. I usually tell the student the teacher was using his/her dad/mom hand, which lacks accuracy.

^YES^

I have lots of parents who believe that 99.0 is a fever so when one of my older ones see that they immediately start using the word fever alll dayy

moreoreo · Dec 1, 2017

Not specifically for ice packs, although I use similar criteria to you. But I'm in HS so the thrill of the ice pack is considerably less for mine.
HOWEVER - when "the teacher sent me because s/he said I have a fever/feel hot" - I get great joy in writing the normal temp on the pass, and sending it back with a smiley face. I usually tell the student the teacher was using his/her dad/mom hand, which lacks accuracy.

OMG I have a teacher who sends several "forehead is hot" passes a week and unfortunately her accuracy is about 0%. I always write "temp is normal" but often the child by then is convinced they are indeed ill because the teacher said so!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2017

OMG I have a teacher who sends several "forehead is hot" passes a week and unfortunately her accuracy is about 0%. I always write "temp is normal" but often the child by then is convinced they are indeed ill because the teacher said so!

Perhaps a thermometer as a teacher gift for that one? :geek:

GdBSN, RN · Dec 1, 2017

I have given my daughter, who is a teacher, a quick infrared thermometer to use in her class. She says she mainly uses it for the FFs. I have also told her specifically what needs to go the school nurse and what doesn't.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Dec 1, 2017

OMG I have a teacher who sends several "forehead is hot" passes a week and unfortunately her accuracy is about 0%. I always write "temp is normal" but often the child by then is convinced they are indeed ill because the teacher said so!

i find touching an ear is much more accurate than a forehead! Of course nothing beats actual diagnostics.

BeckyESRN · Dec 1, 2017

OMG I have a teacher who sends several "forehead is hot" passes a week and unfortunately her accuracy is about 0%. I always write "temp is normal" but often the child by then is convinced they are indeed ill because the teacher said so!

I also enjoy "My forehead feels warm when I touch it" I've started using my infrared to show them the temp difference between their hands and their forehead.

Also, my teacher said I look pale... umm, okay?! What, exactly, am I supposed to do with that?!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2017

What, exactly, am I supposed to do with that?!

Rouge? Sometimes lipstick can double for rouge.....