Help getting sick kids picked up

rdsxfnrn · Feb 18, 2011

I share your pain. I usually just tell them flat out that "your child is sick and can not be in school. someone needs to pick him/her up NOW" sometimes I offer to call 911, that does the trick! I do sympathize with these parents..... I am a single mom also, but my first priority is my kids.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

Thanks , I guess I just need to be a little more firm :)

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

If it's a working parent and a relatively low fever (no higher than 101), I might let the child nap in my office for a few hours. I understand that not all workplaces are accomodating about parents leaving, even for sick kids. If it's a transportation issue, we have our campus monitor go to the parent's house and pick them up, then bring them to school to get the child and then takes both back home. We try very hard to work with the parents about this, because it is hard and most of the families in our area have many needs, few resources, and little support. It is annoying though when you know the parent does not work and owns a car, and they still have every excuse in the book (or else just doesn't answer the phone!)

If it is a higher fever or something serious, I tell the parents someone must pick the student up or I may have no choice but to call 911.

rdsxfnrn · Feb 18, 2011

hahaha i am laughing at myself. Since I wrote that, there has been a student in my office sitting/sleeping cuz the teacher insists she is "sick"..... "her nose is running" and I can not get a hold of a parent.

Jolie, BSN · Feb 18, 2011

hahaha i am laughing at myself. Since I wrote that, there has been a student in my office sitting/sleeping cuz the teacher insists she is "sick"..... "her nose is running" and I can not get a hold of a parent.

I don't understand why she is still in your office, or why you need to speak to a parent before sending an apparently healthy child back to class.

If I see a child with a runny nose and no other symptoms of acute illness, (no fever, watery eyes, cough, sore throat, etc.) I remind them about good handwashing, give them some Kleenex and send them back to class. Sorry if the teacher finds the sniffles annoying. That's an occupational hazard, not a reason to interrupt a child's education. A phone call to a parent is a nice courtesy when a child has a minor issue, but if I can't reach Mom or Dad, back to class they go, with a note to take home at the end of the day.

When I have a child who needs to be picked up and parents who refuse to come in, I ask my principals for back-up. They seem to have greater powers of persuasion than I do. I don't bother the principal unless it is truly an urgent issue, but I have yet to have a parent refuse a principal's phone call.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Feb 18, 2011

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to say to a parent who has every excuse in the book as to why they cannot pick up their sick child? This has happened to me twice in the last two days and it is getting very frustrating. Both kids had temps over 101 and really felt awful. Any help is highly appreciated

Well, apparently i can call Granny in Florida to verbally beat Mom's butt :clown: But seriously, for an uncomplicated fever of 101 if mom is just flat out not going to come i would do a watch & wait, let the kid lay on my cot for 30-60 min, thus giving mom a little time to work things out. After an hour I would call again and get firmer. If she still won't come, I take it to the principal. Sometimes the principal with get on the phone with mom, sometimes we'll just let the kid stay at school. I mean,seriously, what *are* ya gonna do?

It's different if the kid is 103 or there's vomiting or neck pain or bad stomachache. In that case I will go to the principal much sooner and if we have to jack Mom up with a call to CPS, so be it. But I've only had to do that twice and *magically* mom had instant transportation.

BSNinTX · Feb 20, 2011

CPS is one option. If your school has a truancy officer, they may be of assistance - we've done that before with good results.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2011

Thanks everyone, I will use your suggestions in the future :nurse:

mycsm · Feb 23, 2011

I call the parents, if they cannot, I then TELL them very gently, I will be calling the emergency contacts, if at that point I cannot get anyone to come pick up their sick child, (that THEY knew had a fever BEFORE they dropped them off), then I call the police dept. It's funny how quickly they show up tp pick up their child that now has a 103 temp. But it gets worse when I then tell them that I have already excused the child from school the next day due to the fever (or vomiting). I dont take it personally, I;m here for the kid.