Feeling overwhelmed

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I am in the middle of getting all the immunizations looked over and caught up. I had a parent come in and say "the dr's office called me and said the student is over due for his 6th grade shot, why didnt the school catch that." This parent tries to get me on any and everything and is difficult to please. But, is it 100% my fault that this child did not get the shot? I understand me failing to catch it but dang, I work part time and see 20+ kids a day in those 4 short hours and have multiple daily meds and other paperwork I need to put in. I am just frustrated I guess. I still haven't attempted vision/hearing screenings this year and that is just hanging over me too. I usually feel good about things this time of year but for some reason this year has been rough! Ughhh. Thanks for letting me get this out. I'm sure it'll all fall into place but as of now I am drowning.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Oh Gee! One of "those" parents. Do not give it another thought. You are not the parent. I would chalk this up to "crapppp happens" and move on. Hakuna Matata--

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Specializes in kids.
I am in the middle of getting all the immunizations looked over and caught up. I had a parent come in and say "the dr's office called me and said the student is over due for his 6th grade shot, why didnt the school catch that." This parent tries to get me on any and everything and is difficult to please. But, is it 100% my fault that this child did not get the shot? I understand me failing to catch it but dang, I work part time and see 20+ kids a day in those 4 short hours and have multiple daily meds and other paperwork I need to put in. I am just frustrated I guess. I still haven't attempted vision/hearing screenings this year and that is just hanging over me too. I usually feel good about things this time of year but for some reason this year has been rough! Ughhh. Thanks for letting me get this out. I'm sure it'll all fall into place but as of now I am drowning.

There is always that one (or more ) parent...Having been in this game for a whikle, I might have answered.

"I guess I missed it. My apologies. Did the the MD office catch on his most recent physical?"

When was the last time the child was seen? My guess is they have missed one or more appointments.

I try not to make excuses but rather an explanation. Sometimes it works and others not so much!

Hang in there, there are better days ahead!

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I'd thank the parent for bringing it to my attention with a big smile, tell them I had not completed all of my records review yet (which is likely true) ask for a copy of the shot record and move on. Thank them again for the copy of the shot record and get it in the system. You are not the parent of these children the parent is, and they need to step up and be held accountable. There are always these parents out there, the ones who want to blame someone else for everything. You aren't in customer service - you are in healthcare, and you are busy caring for all of the ill children that you see daily, and being awesome at it. Surely a parent can handle bringing a piece of paper to you without being prodded with a fork.

That's my 2 cents. It's only worth a haypenny. Hang in there, I've got your back! :)

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

It will all be OK. And what is best is the previous comments. Prodded with a fork! Missed at the last physical!! BWHAHHAAH!!!

On a side note - do you have an EHR which will track this for you? We use Skyward. It's not my favorite for everything but one thing it does for me is it obsessively tracks when shots are due. If you don't have an EHR this might be an opportunity for you to say you need one that will help you work smarter.

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Thank you for the encouragement and laughs!!! I need to be as witty as you guys are!

I do have a database that I put all immunizations in. I am still learning how to work it and noticed I have to update all of the grades in it (it shows the wrong grade level on each student for some reason) and half the time it doesn't like to load for me so I'm still trying to get it all figured out.

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

It is 0% your fault that this child did not get the shot.

We can catch it after the fact, maybe even see it's due soon, but it isn't our responsibility to make sure preventative care is being taken care of by the parents.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Why would this be 100% your fault? I am not a school nurse, but last I checked, I (as the parent) had to book an appointment and take my son for his annual exam and all. And vaccinations are usually done at that appointment. Unless your school offers this service....and if you do, please let me know as I will be transferring my son! I hate dealing with him for vaccinations.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Why didn't the parent catch that? Aren't they taking their child for routine physicals? I am sure they are managing the needs of a lot less children than you are. Why didn't the doctor catch that?? stupid question i know, as I regularly have children come to me fresh from the doctor with a newly filled in vax record full of shots they didn't really need to get in school and none of the shots they DID need.

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This sounds like how my year is going so far almost to a "T". Only I haven't had "that parent". Mine typically forget I even exist until I call them because their kid is missing something :sarcastic: Nevermind the 2 letters and a phone call (which you never returned) I've already given you PRIOR to school even starting...I would have liked to tell them "I'm responsible for keeping track of more than 700+ shot records, and simply haven't gotten to your child's yet. What's your excuse for missing YOUR one child's?" :cautious:

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