Dealing with teachers

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How do you deal with teachers who second guess your opinion or who try to override you? Do you approach them personally? Go to the principal?

I'm new in my school this year... Let me tell you what happened today.. I had a 5th grader who came to me because "I fell asleep in class." I said why? He said "because I was up late watching a movie." I said well then you are not sick, just tired. Did some education on importance of sleep and sent him back to class. Teacher was upset that I didn't let him lay down to "sleep for a while." She called into the office and complained to them and told them she was sending the student back. It made me feel like I couldn't say no again. The admin. assist came in and said oh no, absolutely not, we did this all the time last year and it's not happening again. He sent him back to class. I am upset the teacher called the office to override my decision... The clinic is for sick children and children with daily medical needs... Cots are for rest of sick children only is my opinion...

Second situation... Kid with live lice. We have a no exclusion policy except in cases of extreme infestation. She had live lice yesterday teacher sent her down twice, I sent her back to class. This morning the assistant brought the child to me and said the teacher told her to bring the child to me. I said what for? She said she has lice crawling. I checked and saw 2. I even picked them out for good measure and flushed em. I sent her back to class. Teacher sent her three more times, insisting that I send the child home. I explained to her that our policy is not to exclude unless it's an extreme infestation.... I left at lunch to go to my other school so I have no idea if she brought the child down again.

So, while on the lice topic anyone have any good teaching resources? I have 4 kids with lice and my teachers are flipping out and there's all kinds of rumors circling the school. I even had a teacher dye her hair "so I don't get it too." I need to do some serious education with these teachers.

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
35 minutes ago, CanIcallmymom said:

I have one that does this too, drives me nuts! I always say, "Oh, was your teacher a nurse before they became a teacher?!"

I've known a lot of teachers who became RN's. Can't imagine the change in schedule they had to get used to.

2 Votes
Specializes in school nursing.
1 hour ago, MrNurse(x2) said:

I've known a lot of teachers who became RN's. Can't imagine the change in schedule they had to get used to.

Gosh, me neither! I know many previous teacher RN's too. I don't know any RNs that ventured into teaching in schools though--universities/junior colleges for sure though.

1 Votes
On 11/20/2018 at 1:39 PM, scout mom said:

I don't know how many times a day I hear "My teacher told me to come get an ice pack. My teacher told me that I need my temperature checked. My teacher told me ________________."

I get annoyed when kids say things like this because I am trying to teach them how to communicate their needs clearly, and these types of statements make them a passive non-participant in their health. More likely, they were complaining of pain and the teacher said "you should see the nurse for an ice pack or something." When they blame their visit on their teacher I always have a lot of follow-up questions like "what were you doing that made your teacher say that?" etc.

I do have one teacher in particular that sends kids for Tylenol. Another thing I'm working with kids on is trying non-pharm interventions before using tylenol/ibu, so it really annoys me when they come in and say "Mrs Soandso sent me up for some Tylenol." No.

4 Votes
17 hours ago, jnemartin said:

I get annoyed when kids say things like this because I am trying to teach them how to communicate their needs clearly, and these types of statements make them a passive non-participant in their health. More likely, they were complaining of pain and the teacher said "you should see the nurse for an ice pack or something." When they blame their visit on their teacher I always have a lot of follow-up questions like "what were you doing that made your teacher say that?" etc.

I do have one teacher in particular that sends kids for Tylenol. Another thing I'm working with kids on is trying non-pharm interventions before using tylenol/ibu, so it really annoys me when they come in and say "Mrs Soandso sent me up for some Tylenol." No.

I have become legendary at the middle school & high school for asking kids complaining of a headache "what have you eaten today?". 9 times out of 10, their answer is "nothing". Crackers & peanut butter or cheese for you! I even made the high school's newspaper for "things teachers say" - with the writer stating "you could break a leg & the first thing she's going to ask is "what have you eaten today?'". Surprised them when I said - no, that would be about second or third down the list, because if you need surgery for that leg, the anesthesiologist needs to know. Lol

4 Votes
1 hour ago, mombat1 said:

I have become legendary at the middle school & high school for asking kids complaining of a headache "what have you eaten today?". 9 times out of 10, their answer is "nothing". Crackers & peanut butter or cheese for you! I even made the high school's newspaper for "things teachers say" - with the writer stating "you could break a leg & the first thing she's going to ask is "what have you eaten today?'". Surprised them when I said - no, that would be about second or third down the list, because if you need surgery for that leg, the anesthesiologist needs to know. Lol

I love this! You've made an impression on the students and they will remember it!

1 Votes
On 10/31/2013 at 7:05 AM, RNlove17 said:

I've had to do so much education (aka damage control lol). They are also shocked we don't send letters.

I've had about half a dozen confirmed cases of strep this year (with a total student body of about 300). When the parents call to let the school know their kid is out with strep this is usually how my notification goes:

Front desk lady: Mrs Soandso called to say LD has strep, so I don't know if you want to send a letter out to parents, or....

Me: Ok, thanks for letting me know.

Front desk lady: Should I tell his teachers?

Me: NO!

lol. The first time this happened, I tried to educate her about reporting requirements, but I finally just gave up.

0 Votes
2 hours ago, mombat1 said:

I have become legendary at the middle school & high school for asking kids complaining of a headache "what have you eaten today?". 9 times out of 10, their answer is "nothing". Crackers & peanut butter or cheese for you! I even made the high school's newspaper for "things teachers say" - with the writer stating "you could break a leg & the first thing she's going to ask is "what have you eaten today?'". Surprised them when I said - no, that would be about second or third down the list, because if you need surgery for that leg, the anesthesiologist needs to know. Lol

This is great! When kids come to me with c/o HA I ask what they've eaten, where is their water bottle/how much have they drank today, what class are they in, etc. For almost all of the middle schoolers, I will advise them to drink a bottle of water, move their desk from under the overhead lamps, and eat lunch or a snack (if it's around lunch time), or if it's near the end of the day I remind them that they are almost done and I have faith they can make it.

Maybe one or two have ever come back to re-complain of HA after I give these instructions. NOT because I believe they have followed my instructions and they have helped, but because I believe the c/o HA was not a true concern to begin with... that is really why I avoid quickly giving prn OTCs (we are allowed a small list of pre-approved meds with consents from parents)

I trust HS kids more and they don't tend to ask for meds unless they need them, so I will dispense more quickly but also give the instructions for self-care.

2 Votes

Recently had to send a kiddo back with a note stating, "The fact that you feel Little Timmy's pant legs are too big does not constitute a medical emergency. Nor does the fact that Susie was wearing lipstick this morning, the broken backpack zipper from this morning, or the jacket you requested that I give to a child ALREADY WEARING A JACKET. Let's all try to use our adult judgement the rest of today, shall we?"

1 Votes
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