Published Nov 30, 2016
MrNurse(x2), ADN
2,558 Posts
I hate the buddy system of sending students to the nurse. Had a girl with a migraine that didn't abate with meds/ rest, sent her home. The chaperone comes back 20 minutes later saying she felt sick. Afebrile, refused bucket. Came to see me 10 minutes later and said she vomited in bathroom, unwitnessed. Did the 16 ounce water test that she passed, despite taking mouthfuls of water and spitting them out right in front of me, like I don't know what vomitting is. Called mom to cover myself and we agreed no vomit, no exit. Fifth grade drama momma. This girl would have been fine had she not brought her friend and saw her go home.
tining, BSN, RN
1,071 Posts
Buddy system = person I need to see is suddenly mute and the chaperone is all knowing, except for the boy that did not speak English . . .
kidzcare
3,393 Posts
I never let the buddy stick around! I ask "Are you along for the ride? Yes? Well, thank you for your service... I got it from here."
JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN
3,035 Posts
Unless the student has a medical condition that means they need a buddy (or had a recent head injury at school to require a buddy), I'm not a huge fan.
But I also dismiss the buddy back to class once they escort the student needing my attention to my office. If they truly need a buddy back to class, likely they aren't going back to class. No need for the escorting student to miss instruction time.
I have a group that must coordinate. We have portables, so the buddy must escort to my office, but I end up with 4 of them. They proceed to fool around instead of going back. I hate to be the heavy, but it is coming to that point, especially after yesterday.
Supernrse01, BSN
734 Posts
Totally agree! If a sickie comes to see me with a "body guard", I always thank the guard for helping them to the clinic and then excuse them back to class. I don't even ask questions until they are gone!
Flare, ASN, BSN
4,431 Posts
i don't usually let the buddies hang out -my exceptions are the kindergartens that will probably get lost on the way back without their guide or my bilinguals that come with their buddy as an interpreter. My Spanish is improving but isn't quite there yet.
OyWithThePoodles, RN
1,338 Posts
I have kids that their job in the class is "the nurse", so if it is just a temp check or band-aid I'll let them hang around, otherwise it's "thank-you, you can head back to class now."
HIPAA baby, HIPAA.