Elementary to Middle

SassyTachyRN · May 22, 2014

I have both an elementary and a middle school. Besides attitude and pouting, I see a whole lot of injuries at the middle school level. I feel like I'm sending out for xrays at least weekly. It's usually during gym class because they are so competitive or all that teenage angst and rage comes out... not long ago I had one girl beat another with a hockey stick... seriously. Of course you'll see a lot of faking and lot of frequent fliers. The difference will be that the frequent fliers will insist on going home constantly and their excuses will get better and better. Blood in urine, blood in stool, etc etc. They get more creative the older they get. I always have a rush at 7:30AM of kids whose parents also "made" them come to school. I feel like the parents aren't as caring or in such a hurry to come get the middle school kids as they are the elementary kids. A big problem we have in the middle school is that the kids will text their parents "i'm sick come get me" or "i'm sick the nurse won't let me come home" and next thing i know parents are here to pick up. That's super frustrating.

Cackalacky · May 22, 2014

Someone else recently asked this question. You can take a look at those responses too.

https://allnurses.com/school-nurses/junior-high-opinions-817526.html

Kittery · May 23, 2014

Thank you!!!

Nurse ABC · May 24, 2014

When I worked in the middle school, if a student had a parent show up because they were sick and the student did not have a nurse excuse that student got detention. Students were not allowed to call parents to pick them up on their own. Also our principal was a die-hard-if no fever or witnessed vomiting they did not go home-period! So all those whiny kids that insisted their mom sent them to school sick-too bad.

I found middle school kids 10X whinier than grade school kids. They were so emotional and would literally cry a lot more. There was more bullying, emotional issues, peer pressure, etc. Of course it all comes out in headaches and stomach aches. You're right-they play rougher too. I prefer grade school kids any day!

You just need to stand your ground and get your principal to back you. That way when you have a student crying and arguing because you won't let them go home you can tell them to go talk to the principal-that's the rules. Once word gets around and the kids figure out they can't go home then there won't be as many "fakers" trying to get out of school. Those excuses that are over the top of blood in urine or stool you can either give them a sample cup and make them prove it (and unless they are actively bleeding a lot no need to go home right away-could just be hemmorhoids or a period) I'd call the parent and insist student can't return to school without a dr note.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · May 30, 2014

When I worked in the middle school, if a student had a parent show up because they were sick and the student did not have a nurse excuse that student got detention. Students were not allowed to call parents to pick them up on their own.

We have this rule as well in my school (Grades 7-12). No cell phone usage in school at all and if it is seen, it is taken and is an automatic detention. For me, it usually starts when the main office calls my office asking for a student that I haven't seen or sent up to call without calling the parent. They call because the parent is suddenly there to pick up their "sick" child. End result is a detention or worse if they have done it before (there are repeat offenders). Interesting thing, is some parents are totally for the rule, some are like "whatever," and a couple are like "why didn't the nurse call me if my child is this sick." Um, because your child isn't that sick?

For those MS kids that come to me and state "I threw up" unwitnessed, I end up giving them a PO test with crackers and 10-15 minutes observation. 9/10 of those kids go right back to class...

I agree MS can be whinier than grade school, the bullying (especially for girls!) is tough, and I go thought way too pads for those girls, but I love each and every one of them. Since I care for grades 7-12, I have an opportunity to see 'em get past that truly awkward pre-teen into teen years.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · May 30, 2014

A big problem we have in the middle school is that the kids will text their parents "i'm sick come get me" or "i'm sick the nurse won't let me come home" and next thing i know parents are here to pick up. That's super frustrating.

Oh Boy. Doesnt that just make you nuts????? It gets worse in HS! I cannot tell you how many times I have to tell them they do not have the privelege to dismiss themselves!!!!!!!!!!

:banghead: