Counselor, too?

OldDude · Jan 27, 2016

I don't do any counseling. I let them sit in my office until they are calm enough to return to class. The one severe case, I always defer to the health department and leave it up to them on how to proceed. The school itself is a majority blue collar private school, there are no funds available to hire a counselor, it is normally a barter type arrangement. And unlike any public school teacher I know, these teachers all want to stay teachers and don't want to be counsellors.

Too late - "counselor" - you facilitated deescalation by letting them sit in your office until they calmed down so that make you a counselor; you get the position permanently, forever and ever - MrNurse/Counselor(x2) :yes:

kidzcare · Jan 27, 2016

Too late - "counselor" - you facilitated deescalation by letting them sit in your office until they calmed down so that make you a counselor; you get the position permanently, forever and ever - MrNurse/Counselor(x2)

Providing a calm/safe environment? Check!

Offering community resources? Check!

You're there, my friend!

I, on the other hand, have the social workers on speed dial. I don't like people crying in my office. (unless it's me, quietly into my empty coffee cup)

Cattz, ADN · Jan 27, 2016

In my situation, 3 or my 4 buildings have fantastic Counselors. My other building does not and never has had had a Counselor. This absolutely drives me insane. Everyone loses in this situation.

First and foremost, the kids who need the support of a Counselor, obviously do not have access to one.

Second, for the most part, the teachers take on this roll when they see a need of this type in a student. Some of them have only worked there, and do not know what they are missing in not having a Counelor. And sometimes when they share things with me about kids...and I know in my gut that something needs to be Hotlined. I have gotten the most dumb founded looks...one of shock and surprise...that whatever we may be talking about "needs" to be Hotlined. and I am thinking...REALLY!!!!!! This is a hot topic with me. I have a situation that has been sitting like a rock in the bottom of my stomach for 2 weeks. I think that tomorrow when I am there, if the situation is still going on...I can't take it anymore and gonna have to pass it along to the next level

Third, by the time I am involved. I help as I can. But sometimes, I just have to say---I. Am. Not. Qualified., nor do I have the superb skills to help a kiddo get to the heart of what is going on. Sometimes I can...but if I can't...then I can't. And I am not afraid to admit that.

Fourth, our new administrator, was a teacher in one of my other Districts last year. So she KNOWS how bad we need a Counselor, what a blessing that having one is. Last week when I unloaded my frustration about this to her. I know I was preaching to the choir, as she knew full well what I was saying. Convincing the School Board is another story.

That being said--- I can Hotline with the best of them and let those Powers that Be sort it out....when this route is necessary.

Thanks for letting me vent friends.

peacockblue · Jan 27, 2016

My counsellors are great. We really do work as a team and I do some counselor type work, but when I get in over my head, they are there for me. We each have kids who like one of us best but there are times that I just tell the kids we have to see the counselor even if I'm your favorite. I'm good with broken hearts and anxiety but a suicidal kid always gets escorted to Guidance. I am very happy I have the help.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Jan 28, 2016

Thankfully, I am not left hanging out to dry. The health department is very accessible and accommodating. Parents understand that there are limits to what we can provide and accept that as a byproduct of being private.

NanaPoo · Jan 28, 2016

Providing a calm/safe environment? Check!
Offering community resources? Check!
You're there, my friend!
I, on the other hand, have the social workers on speed dial. I don't like people crying in my office. (unless it's me, quietly into my empty coffee cup)

Omiword, I feel your pain.

In the words of Truvy from Steel Magnolias, "no one cries alone in my presence."

Last year was my 1st full year as a school nurse. I'd worked hospice for 12 years but facing death is a different emotion than a 12-13 year old girl just dealing with life. For some reason the pre-teen girl emotions just get me right in the gut.

A 7th grade girl came to me crying because her dad moved out over the weekend and her parents were beginning the divorce process. I cried like a baby with her. I'd never even seen or met her parents. Now she and my daughter play v-ball together and I just want to punch her dad when I see him for breaking her heart like that (hey, and mine, too).

2 weeks later her dog died and, darn, if I didn't cry with her again!

We do NOT have any type of counselor and it's the one thing I dislike most about my workplace. Even though we are in a private school with kids who are more privileged than your typical public school kid, they still face problems. I find out about at least one cutter each year. I had an eating disorder student with severe depressive issues last year and I felt I handled it poorly. I really, really wish I had another person in the building to refer to or at least consult with.

I don't feel comfortable revealing a cutter situation to our principal necessarily but do want to be sure they have help. The one good thing I have going is that almost always our students have fantastic, caring parents with resources for counseling and help. I just have to be sure I have the therapeutic communication skills to reach out to that student and to be sure they feel comfortable enough with me to be vulnerable and let me know what's going on. I'm not sure that's always happening.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Jan 28, 2016

Check with your health department, they may have resources.The private school vacuum for ancillary services can be huge. We didn't have a nurse for the first 10 years.

OldDude · Jan 28, 2016

Check with your health department, they may have resources.The private school vacuum for ancillary services can be huge. We didn't have a nurse for the first 10 years.

Now they have a nurse/counselor

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Jan 28, 2016

Now they have a nurse/counselor

I am getting 3 for 1 so them getting 2 for 1 still puts me ahead. :sarcastic:

Eleven011 · Jan 28, 2016

I feel very lucky after reading this thread! We have two full time counselors - one elementary and one jr/high school. They are awesome and handle many of the emotional issues. The most I do is have a student wait with me while they are located if not in their offices.

OldDude · Jan 28, 2016

I feel very lucky after reading this thread! We have two full time counselors - one elementary and one jr/high school. They are awesome and handle many of the emotional issues. The most I do is have a student wait with me while they are located if not in their offices.

Me too...we have 2 full time counselors on my campus - and they are busy every day!!

A&Ox6, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

I completely understand. In fact this morning I was typing up a post on SI and self-harm because I'm so lost with this stuff (I probably still should). We have a behavioral therapist, but he's part time. No social worker and one guidance counselor who is good at academics only. We don't have written protocols so I've been trying to get something put together to be approved so I have something to follow!
I'm finding that the mental health issues are more time consuming then the physical ailments.

DEgalRN,

I don't want hack, but I would encourage you to check out SPRC.org

Suicide Prevention Resource Center has great resources including those for school programs.