Entitlement - Are We Making The Problem Worse?

[OyWithThePoodles]

In regards to the sense of entitlement that these kids have nowadays.

*shakes my granny fist*

For example, the kid that came up that hurt his ankle a few days ago, wasn't wearing his splint, played in PE and now it was hurting. He wants an ice pack.

I wanted to say, "No, you did this days ago, YOU did not wear your splint, and YOU decided to play in PE knowing it would make it hurt worse."

But instead I gave him an ice pack. If I don't sometimes the teacher sends them back or I am afraid of the sue happy parents in this world. "Why didn't you give my snowflake an ice pack for their non-existent injury!!!???"

A girl came in and said her hand was on the ground and the basketball hit it. Not jammed the fingers, but rolled over and hit it. She wants an ice pack.

I wanted to say, "No, shake it off, rub some dirt on it."

But instead I gave her an ice pack.

I feel like this is a placebo effect more than anything, and they'll be satisfied with the little bit of ice. But then it makes me wonder why can't we tell these kids, who have NO redness/swelling/bruising, normal ROM, that they will be okay without an icepack? They always refuse amputation when I offer, so....

[Cattz, ADN]

I absolutely love my secretaries. Another one (high school) told me last week (a day I wasn't in the building), that a FF came in and thought he may have a rib out of place (something that originally happened outside of school, days ago). She told him that there was nothing she could do for him except offer him an ibuprofen. He had already taken some at home. He then asked when the Nurse was going to bet there. The secretary told him, she will be here tomorrow. But, there is nothing she can do either, she isn't a dr. or a chiropractor. So she will tell you the basic same thing I am and she doesn't have x ray vision either. The FF gives her the slump shouldered sad face, and trudges back to class.

I didn't see the FF the next day. Must have been miraculously healed.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I would say we are making the problem worse but we "alone" can't fix it and we are not going to get any support if we try. It's worrisome to me how a lot of kids today seem to be so delicate and sensitive. Regardless, you will be the bad guy if you don't "do something" for the kid's complaint of injury; according to staff and/or parent. It's easier for me to hand out an ice-pack than defend and justify myself later to an irrational parent after the fact, especially if the parent was told by the kid's teacher, "the nurse didn't do anything about it."

Exactly, I feel at least if I give an ice pack I can say I didn't just ignore the kid. But geeze...toughen up!

The only time I put ice on my kiddos at home is when it's swelling. Then they usually just want to chew on the ice pack.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I absolutely love my secretaries.

But, there is nothing she can do either, she isn't a dr. or a chiropractor. So she will tell you the basic same thing I am and she doesn't have x ray vision either. The FF gives her the slump shouldered sad face, and trudges back to class.

I didn't see the FF the next day. Must have been miraculously healed.

This strange creature you speak of...where can I find one?

[SnowyJ, RN]

Yes, a lot is worry about backlash from the parent. Because it does happen.

And it bugs me when teachers give the "go get an ice pack" directive. Especially if ice is not needed. "But my teacher said..."

[Farawyn]

I go to the Sully school of school nursing. Ice packs for everyone!

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

And if they come back for a second ice pack it's a definite no.

"Bud, if you aren't going to let me cut it off, then there's not much I can do."

[OldDude]

It's been my observation that 90% of the ice packs handed out are used to offset the feeling of the injured child that some insult or embarrassment has occurred. "So and so pushed me," or "he hit me with a ball," or "she tripped em," The majority of the complaint centers around what someone has done to them and the pain site is almost an afterthought. Often they have to think whether it's right or left. These types of complaints, however, have the greatest potential to come back and bite you if you don't provide the healing poultice of ice pack.

[txbootsy]

I will usually have them rinse said injury with cool water, or use a cool compress (wet napkin).

They can do both themselves.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I go to the Sully school of school nursing. Ice packs for everyone!

Our school color is pink. And our mascot is a stick being thrown.

Fight song:

Bumped head,

Jammed hand,

Sore finger or toes...

Sully's school gives ice

For whatever your woes!!

*No actual fighting took place during the fight song, that would generate an accident report*

[Cattz, ADN]

This strange creature you speak of...where can I find one?

If you are asking about a FF, just look out into the hallway. :0

The amazing secretaries? Well, it takes awhile to grow a beloved secretary. I am blessed with 5 of them. 4 of them have been here since before I started in this position. The new one is mentored by my bestest secretary, soooo...she is growing quite nicely to fit in with the rest of them. In fact, if there is something that I don't think the newby is quite grasping...I tell the bestest secretary, and she finds a time in their "secretary" chats to address it. They all know that I go by the book and expect them to, also.

In my position, it is absolutely vital, and they are my lifeline. They do a great of job of being me, within their training and capabilities. I am on speed dial if they need me. But, honestly, they don't have to call me or check in very often. We all use Google chat. So, we are all connected that way in an instant if needed. Even though we are in 4 different buildings, depending in the day.

[Farawyn]

It's been my observation that 90% of the ice packs handed out are used to offset the feeling of the injured child that some insult or embarrassment has occurred. "So and so pushed me," or "he hit me with a ball," or "she tripped em," The majority of the complaint centers around what someone has done to them and the pain site is almost an afterthought. Often they have to think whether it's right or left. These types of complaints, however, have the greatest potential to come back and bite you if you don't provide the healing poultice of ice pack.

Agreed. If you are playing hard and get hurt, it gives the injury validation to walk around with an ice pack.

Ice for the Soul.

[Cattz, ADN]

I will usually have them rinse said injury with cool water, or use a cool compress (wet napkin).

They can do both themselves.

yep, a cool, damp paper towel. Then, I did "something" C'MON! (woops..crossthreaded!)