Thank you for taking care of our kids while they are in your classroom. Truly, I appreciate it more than you know! There is no way, on God's earth I could do what you do and, from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful you are here!
With that being said, did you get your lunch today? You did! GREAT! I had bites of a lunch I paid for, between kids, with the kids looking at me while I ate. By the way, my fast food, chicken tenders went cold before I could finish them, so I'm glad you got to the microwave (ahead of me, when I was trying to heat up a towel to put on a kid's stye) so your lunch could be hot.
Did you get your planning period today? You did! GREAT! I don't get one. Ever. It's not built into my day. So, I'm sorry you had to use your planning period to call a parent, and not meet with the other grade-level teacher to work on lesson plans, I really am. I call parents all day long, between kids, with kids looking at me, and between bites of my now, cold lunch.
You take work home and stay late? ME TOO! By the way, I'm hourly and get paid on the same scale the paras get paid despite the fact that, like you, I have a bachelor's degree and (most of) a masters.
Kids don't always run fever with a virus? REALLY??? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I didn't know that! Thank you for sharing your medical knowledge with me. I will be sure to tuck that little gem in to my very small orificenal of facts and hope to learn more as I continue my nursing career.
By the way, you won't mind if I tell little Johnny's mother that he is having problems in math will you? I mean, he sitting here in my clinic waiting for pick up since you called his mother to tell her he is sick. I know I haven't looked at his grades, and it is only his word that he is struggling, but I think I'll have a discussion about it with her.
One more thing, since I'm hourly, I don't actually get to work the "work days". I mean, don't get me wrong, having the extra days off is great, but while you are here, putting in your grades and organizing your room, and calling parents, and taking care of what you need to take care of, I will be at home thinking about all the things I can't get done because I'm not allowed in the building. Of course, I'll take some work home, but I can't call parents from home, because, unlike you, I REFUSE to use my personal cell phone to contact parents - they don't need my number.
Well, that about sums it up. Again, please understand, I am grateful for you and what you do! I hope you understand, I'm not angry, I'm just as ready for a break as you are.
YAASSS!! On my mornings when i am feeling particularly salty, it's good to know that my colleagues are feeling salty as well - and for darn good reason.
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
I had my first ever things last friday, but it was all for a good reason, the teacher is a friend of mine anyway.
But she sent this kid over because, per the student, "Ms. So-So says I have a fever." I smile, and asked the student if she had a thermometer in her classroom, and he said no. "Then until I check your temp, I can't tell you have a fever or not." So I checked his temp and he did have a fever like 102. So she was right, but she told me later she just touched his forehead. I did thank her for that, since she did get it right, but eh.
Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.
I had my first ever things last friday, but it was all for a good reason, the teacher is a friend of mine anyway.
But she sent this kid over because, per the student, "Ms. So-So says I have a fever." I smile, and asked the student if she had a thermometer in her classroom, and he said no. "Then until I check your temp, I can't tell you have a fever or not." So I checked his temp and he did have a fever like 102. So she was right, but she told me later she just touched his forehead. I did thank her for that, since she did get it right, but eh.
I had a teacher send me a kid who said "Mrs. X says I have a fever". I asked him if she took his temp and he said "No, I told her I have a fever so she sent me here" So this Kindergarten kid tells teacher he has a fever and she sends him to me. Fine, but then as I bring him back to the class I tell the teacher "He is fine, no fever, just a hot forehead" , she says "Oh, but I already called mom to come get him and she is on her way".
I had my first ever things last friday, but it was all for a good reason, the teacher is a friend of mine anyway.
But she sent this kid over because, per the student, "Ms. So-So says I have a fever." I smile, and asked the student if she had a thermometer in her classroom, and he said no. "Then until I check your temp, I can't tell you have a fever or not." So I checked his temp and he did have a fever like 102. So she was right, but she told me later she just touched his forehead. I did thank her for that, since she did get it right, but eh.
As a mom, I've checked my kids for fever that way. As a nurse, I'm usually vindicated.
I "retired" as a school nurse abut 1.5 (school) years ago. I still love coming here and reading though. You all are so great!
There was one principal that I tussled with about kids - she was actually a bit of a bully. It is hard to be the only medical authority on campus sometimes.
Keep up the good work. And vent away here on the School Nurse forum. Lots of great nurses!
Kids don't always run fever with a virus? REALLY??? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! I didn't know that! Thank you for sharing your medical knowledge with me. I will be sure to tuck that little gem in to my very small orificenal of facts and hope to learn more as I continue my nursing career.
THIS! I have one teacher who has a treasure chest full of gems that she likes to share with me. She is also the teacher I got to do patient education with about not taking someone else's "left over z-pack" for a runny nose.
Go ahead and let that student with 18 absences and no excludable symptoms call their mom from your classroom! I will document your actions in student's record. When I get called on to why I let this student go home, I will print up said record and let you explain your actions at that time. Have a wonderful Monday!!
I'm a school RN with 18 years of experience and deal with all you listed in your letter and then some (like parents, teachers, administrators telling me how to do my job and going to the principal when I don't fall in line with their standards).
My salary is $20,000. That's 10K below a teacher who is fresh out of school. You heard it right here, folks.
As a nurse, I'm usually vindicated. 
Flare, ASN, BSN
4,431 Posts
YAASSS!! On my mornings when i am feeling particularly salty, it's good to know that my colleagues are feeling salty as well - and for darn good reason.