Frequent Flyers

Specialties School

Published

Just started my first year school nursing and I have been trying to manage my frequent flyers who took advantage of the nice school nurse last year.  Any tips for the FFs that seem to be overly dramatic and relentless until they are sent home?

Thanks for the tips I have just been reading them the last few days so I appreciate the advice. I hope it didn't come off as I was being dismissive and annoyed by certain students who come into my office more frequently as I have worked as a school employee for the last 5 years I just am talking more specifically on how to brainstorm more effective ways of dealing with some students who also use my office as a place to hang out instead of wanting to be in class, and a few of them will go to great lengths to stay out of class by throwing tantrums to get out of class. I think thats what I meant specifically but I know its usually something else (anxiety, home issues, hunger, etc.) I did reach out to my administrator about these said students so it did help after they had a discussion with them (or refer them to our on site counselor), im just trying to keep my kiddos in class ?

9 Votes
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

None of us believe you to be dismissive.

You are a newish school nurse so of course you asked us - and because they know you from your other role in school perhaps they like you and want to hang. I may be the only person who says kind things to a kid - but we gotta figure out a way for you to stay in class and get your free and appropriate public education.

One year I was a reward. I said that Nurse Ruby Jane would read to FF during DEAR if certain criteria were met, including butt in seat the whole day. DEAR was about 2:30 and usually I had time to read one story. It helped. Not that I'm volunteering you to do that.  Much of the FF-ness is pushing boundaries. God bless the kids that push boundaries for they will achieve later in life but get them outta my clinic, please.

12 Votes
Specializes in School nursing.

Op, you aren't dismissive at all!

Even though I posted the example above, it really is a more extreme example. But I do keep it in mind when I see my FF students. Still, for many of them it is about boundaries and it isn't our job to enable either. I've worked out reward systems like ruby_jane, kids can see me during their lunch or during their flex period (study hall in the HS) or Focus period (MS) for a brief check-in if that is what they need.

I've had FFs that get issued a once a day nurse's pass - they can use at any point in the day, but only once per day and it comes with a very strict 10 minute max visit time. This is part of a part I work out with teachers and often the counselor. 

We are here to give love (and as ruby also said, may be the one person doing so for a kid), but sometimes it needs to be somewhat tough love. Placing a limit on the length of the visit or number per day walks that line. 

7 Votes
Specializes in kids.

OP, you are new and asking ??s. Perfectly reasonable! Another poster form another discipline chimed in with  (IMHO) a rather broad and sweeping criticism of the subject at hand. Clearly framed by her own experience.

Keep posting and asking, there is a wealth of knowledge and very practical and useful information in this very supportive group.

9 Votes

Guidelines for Nurse’s Office2016.docx

I don't have any specific advice- but this form helps me quite a bit at the beginning of the year.  

6 Votes
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

That document is amazing and so well written! Thank you for sharing!

4 Votes

That Guidelines was exactly what I was looking for I really appreciate you posting this I think a lot of the teachers are sending in for things that can be contained in their classrooms so I love the verbage ?

I've also been communicating with a few teachers on students who I've observed coming in probably 4-6 times daily and this was during a hybrid schedule so I wanted to nip it in the butt as we returned to our regular on campus schedule this week I did not want to be seeing little johnny 6 times a day all week haha!

so far so good I think I am making progress as last year the nurse I think was letting everyone hang out in here and as much as I love seeing their faces I want them in class learning ?

5 Votes

It helped me when I first started 6 years ago- I had students being sent to me because they had gum in their hair- or couldn't get their shoelaces untied.  

 

4 Votes

yes and I've gotten a lot of " My arm hurts" and after talking with them theyre like wellllll I fell 2 weeks ago or the "my stomach hurts" and when you give them some options they say "nah id just rather go home" I found a lot of students were getting used to being home and realized if they just went home they could finish the day online suprisingly now that were back to "regular school" its been quiet in the health office this week 

3 Votes
Specializes in ER,OR,Military Nurse,Nurse Edu,Sch Nurse.

I found last year (new to this school) that some teachers send students (the FF) to the clinic because of behavioral issues. I stress to all teachers at the beginning of the year, my job is to keep students in health so they can learn. Being out of the classroom keeps students from learning (not conducing class in the clinic unless first aid lessons count).

Teachers spend a great deal of time preparing lessons - students need to be in the class learning these lessons. My principal backs me 100% as do most teachers. The principal is key in how your school runs. I am sure we have all seen this - just like a nursing director or the CEO of a hospital.  

I make them a first aid kit at the beginning of the school year (and they can have it replenished as needed) for the classroom. I beefed it up this year.

I am seeing some FF (I have middle/high school - most FF are 6th graders). I assess for medical needs always but then when I don't find any... the look on some of the FF faces when I tell them how many times they have come to the clinic this year is priceless. (not that it makes a long term impact). Calls to mom also help for the really FFF. It's a balance.

You never want to miss anything, you don't want to keep a sick student at school but then you don't want your clinic to be the Student Lounge either. Each school is different, each of us has our own method of running our clinics and caring for our students. Interesting to see the similarities shared on this topic!

Good luck School Nurses! Healthy kids Learn Best! Healthy Teachers Teach Best! (and Healthy Nurses are nicer!)

3 Votes
Specializes in school nurse.
On 10/29/2020 at 6:42 AM, JenTheSchoolRN said:

Op, you aren't dismissive at all!

Even though I posted the example above, it really is a more extreme example. But I do keep it in mind when I see my FF students. Still, for many of them it is about boundaries and it isn't our job to enable either. I've worked out reward systems like ruby_jane, kids can see me during their lunch or during their flex period (study hall in the HS) or Focus period (MS) for a brief check-in if that is what they need.

I've had FFs that get issued a once a day nurse's pass - they can use at any point in the day, but only once per day and it comes with a very strict 10 minute max visit time. This is part of a part I work out with teachers and often the counselor. 

 

I actually had some kids enjoy being drafted into my "Swiffer Squad". I'd keep swiffers in the office, give them a couple and let them chase the dust bunnies in the corners. (Not during major academic times.) Kids visited, burned off some energy and the health office was just a little bit cleaner...

2 Votes
21 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

I actually had some kids enjoy being drafted into my "Swiffer Squad". I'd keep swiffers in the office, give them a couple and let them chase the dust bunnies in the corners. (Not during major academic times.) Kids visited, burned off some energy and the health office was just a little bit cleaner...

This is awesome.  Our cleaners are more focused on spraying down surfaces & my corners have become very dusty. You're getting me thinking...

1 Votes
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