Crazy Parents

Published

I had a 7th grade student come to school yesterday with a bottle of Focalin in his back pack. He brings it to me in the morning with no papers from the parent or doctor. (The bottle is labeled). I called the mother and told her I am not able to give her child his medication without a medication consent form that is signed by the doctor and her, and said she will need to come give him his med and also, that an adult needs to bring his medication to school. She said her car has been broken down for 3 weeks and she can't do anything about it. She said, "Well have fun with my son's crazy behavior then." I faxed her the medication form so she can sign it and send to the doctor. I come to work today, beginning of the year, DROWNING in shot records, and of course I still have nothing for this student. OF COURSE. He comes in to take his med and I tell him I cannot give it to him because I still have nothing from his mom or doctor. I call her and she is IRATE that i will not give him his med. She says that she faxed it to the doctor and it is out of her hands now and it is ridiculous that I will not give him his med. Her car is broke down (she tells me again) and she can do nothing. (NOT MY FAULT RIGHT???) She said her son is going to get sick now because he isn't getting his med. She says to just hand him the bottle and let him take his med. I told her to call my supervisor and I also had my principal call her. We heard nothing back so far. She was yelling at me so crazily. I am so stuck!!! What would you have done??? Of course now I think something is going to happen and he is going to get sick because he has no meds. She has gotten to me and I shouldn't let her. She could take the bus, cab, call a friend. She has had 3 weeks to figure it out. she said her son has been in the district for 5 years and expects me to use orders from previous years. UGH!!

Specializes in School Nurse.

I have sent my district's School Medication Permit home with the student for the parent to fill out their portion and return. Once I get it back I FAX to the physician to complete their portion. Generally works out well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have lots of parents like this in my district. Also get a lot of expired medications and expected to give them because "I can't afford the new prescription now." I always have to apologize and state it goes against the policies put in place by the district. That seems to appease most parents.

Had a note on a student that parent wanted notification every time he visited the health office. Said child came in with a headache. I called home and she said to give him aspirin. Our district implemented a new policy of not allowing ANY meds, prescribed OR OTC to students. I kindly explained the new policy to her (second day of school). She began to berate me and tell me I had to "get your SH** together."

I apologized and stated it was a new policy for us as well.

Oh well. Lucky it's only been one tough parent so far.

Still hasn't seen me to sign the medication consent form for the aspirin.... 2 weeks later....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Fortunately..in our district, the prescription label can serve as the physician authorization. We just need to obtain parent permission.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think my district is being cautious seeing as all schools are staffed by EMT or Medics. They are constantly mentioning liability as the reason.

As per my last post. We can give prescribed meds and OTC only if signed and authorized by students doctor with dosage, time, route, and then supplied by parent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I think my district is being cautious seeing as all schools are staffed by EMT or Medics. They are constantly mentioning liability as the reason.

As per my last post. We can give prescribed meds and OTC only if signed and authorized by students doctor with dosage, time, route, and then supplied by parent.

It may be a huge liability. I'm shocked EMTs can give any medications other than EpiPen, glucagon & MDI (or asprin & nitro) even in the role of "school health assistant". You may want to check with your state certification board. If something goes wrong you risk your certification as medication administration (other than the few above) is out of the scope of EMTs. Medics in my state are considered EMTs unless working on a MICU/ALS service and only under the direction of an emergency department physician protocols. I know of no state that medics or EMTs can work under the direction/delegation of an RN.

There was a huge issue at a local camp that used an EMT instead of a nurse for health officer. She missed an assessment and in turn a significant medication error. She knowingly acted out of scope and was not covered by her liability policy. She lost her certification at the national level for acting out of scope. Now the camp only hires LPNs or RNs now offering tuition in lieu for reduced pay to save costs (a better deal as the cost for camp was not cheap)

If an EMT, who doesn't have the scope or training, to assess for an OTC or PRN Rx (other than EpiPen, glucagon, MDI or ASA/nitro), makes an error in judgement the liability will be huge!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.
I would make a wager...that if you called the parent and told her the school district was offering a $500.00 cash academics participation scholarship she would be able to arrange transportation to come pick it up.....

Almost spit my gum out laughing. Good one!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The doctors office cannot fax us anything anymore without the parent signing a release. I tried all that. Today was the worst so far. She has done nothing but try and make this my fault and has been super condescending. I told her I refuse to speak with her if all she is going to do is insult me. It is a three times a day med. we finally got the orders and of course they say for 1130 and 330 (when school gets out). His lunch is 1230 - 1. I had to call and clarify with her and she was so mean. My principal is so amazing. She said she will be the one to deal with her from now on. What a nightmare. Is it even worth it? I feel so abused.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You did the right thing. As others have said, it's not a medication that will have dire consequences if he doesn't receive the dose at school. The mother needs to follow protocol like everyone else...and she's had three weeks to figure out the broken down car logistics.

She's giving you a guilt trip but it's she who is skirting her own responsibilities. She is the parent, she needs to do what she is supposed to do so that her son will get his medication on time. She's worried about her son getting his meds....I think she may have forgotten her own for a personality disorder....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
The doctors office cannot fax us anything anymore without the parent signing a release. I tried all that. Today was the worst so far. She has done nothing but try and make this my fault and has been super condescending. I told her I refuse to speak with her if all she is going to do is insult me. It is a three times a day med. we finally got the orders and of course they say for 1130 and 330 (when school gets out). His lunch is 1230 - 1. I had to call and clarify with her and she was so mean. My principal is so amazing. She said she will be the one to deal with her from now on. What a nightmare. Is it even worth it? I feel so abused.

You did well. My son has a QID med that needs to be given around lunch. I had the physician write a time range and include before or after lunch (but not between 1-2 as I know this is when our favorite school nurse (only one) takes her lunch and locks the door) since we don't have his school schedule yet since it's a big secret at middle school.

Awesome that administration is stepping up to alleviate you from the verbal abuse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find it extremely annoying when parents make it MY issue to make sure their child has a med order. It's not my responsibility to fax the dr and request a new order every year but yet I'm expected to more and more because the parents know I'll do it. I do it for the kids not the parent. Now if we could just figure out a way for me to go pick up their kid's medication for them...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I find it extremely annoying when parents make it MY issue to make sure their child has a med order. It's not my responsibility to fax the dr and request a new order every year but yet I'm expected to more and more because the parents know I'll do it. I do it for the kids not the parent. Now if we could just figure out a way for me to go pick up their kid's medication for them...

You are better than me. I won't do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

The mother's statement of "good luck with his behaviors then" leads me to believe that she is sporadic in giving him the medication as home....

The world will not stop spinning on its axis if a kid does not have their ADHD med the first day of school.

SMH

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion