Encouraging teachers to communicate with School Nurse

[matyson]

I am hitting my head against a wall. Why do teachers send students to the nurse for bandaids, headaches, stomach aches and not for chest pain, heart monitors, multiple breathing problems?

Today I was informed, 3 weeks after the teacher knew, that a child has been having pain with exercise, is restricted from PE until seen by cardiology - no one told me. Comes to school 2 days ago with a heart monitor and instructions to push button when she had pain or is short of breath. The child is a kindergartener. Mom notified teacher and brought note from cardiologist.

How do you get through to teachers that major health problems ARE a major part of your job, not minor injuries? I have tried faculty meetings without success. Any ideas will be helpful.

Thanks!

[newtoflorida]

I have been having this problem for 4 years without any progress to make it better. Many a time I have had a parent upset with me that I should have been aware of their childs health problem because the teachers knew about it! As a parent I would think I would have informed the school nurse first and then addressed the teachers.

I also never get informed of when there is a home situation and thats why Suzy is coming to the clinic a lot with upset stomach. I end up finding out later by chance from a teacher commenting about poor Suzy, her moms dying of cancer, etc. I think I should be made aware of this to have the extra compassion when the student does come to see me instead of assuming they are just trying to get out of math class again.

I am hitting my head against a wall. Why do teachers send students to the nurse for bandaids, headaches, stomach aches and not for chest pain, heart monitors, multiple breathing problems?

Today I was informed, 3 weeks after the teacher knew, that a child has been having pain with exercise, is restricted from PE until seen by cardiology - no one told me. Comes to school 2 days ago with a heart monitor and instructions to push button when she had pain or is short of breath. The child is a kindergartener. Mom notified teacher and brought note from cardiologist.

How do you get through to teachers that major health problems ARE a major part of your job, not minor injuries? I have tried faculty meetings without success. Any ideas will be helpful.

Thanks!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

If anyone figures out the answer to this, please let me know. I too have been fighting it for 4+ years.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I also never get informed of when there is a home situation and thats why Suzy is coming to the clinic a lot with upset stomach. I end up finding out later by chance from a teacher commenting about poor Suzy, her moms dying of cancer, etc. I think I should be made aware of this to have the extra compassion when the student does come to see me instead of assuming they are just trying to get out of math class again.

I wholeheartedly agree with this! Most of the time i am informed about the issues pertaining directly to the students - but the other issues that may cause anxiety or stress would really be great to be aware of!

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I am in a very small school so information gets passed easily (sometimes too easily if you ask me). I do attendance and dismissal as well as being the nurse so it helps me to see who has a lot of absences, tardies and I speak to the parents a lot so they do share info with me pretty freely.

[schoolnursejennie]

i have this problem as well. i am coming to realize that teachers do not view me as a professional and think that i am a babysitter. i'm sick of it!!!