High school nurses

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2014

I would in a middle school and high school.

Yes, you still have a lot of frequent fliers. Yes, you still have a lot of students wanting to get out of class.

Issues haven't differed too much between my populations of MS and HS this year, actually, which isn't usually the case. Dealing with e-cigarette issues on both ends. Have had a lot of HS stress issues of students butting heads with teachers and/or feeling overwhelmed by work.

One could argue you can reason with a HS student. You can. You can educate at a different level and I can level with those kids and give it straight: nope, you are going back to class. But they give it back at a different level as well and challenge you - in great and frustrating ways.

I love 'em, honestly. (And my MS kids.) I love getting to see them get into college and slowly become young adults.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Dec 19, 2014

i've spent time with every grade level. high school was probably my personal favorite - but there are a lot of adult type scenarios to deal with at that level because you have children that think that they are adults. Kids with pregnancy scares (and actual pregnancies too - though that didn't happen on my watch), lots and lots of drug issues, fights that go well beyond shoving on the playground. On the other hand as previously mentioned - you can reason with these kids and try to talk a bit of logic into them (developmentally it's not fully there, so don't put all your eggs in that basket!) but they can be relied on a bit more to do things like carry inhalers and epipens (with propers orders, of course). Take charge of their diabetes and so on.

Farawyn · Dec 19, 2014

Jen-Elizabeth, what e-cigarette issue? Do you guys have a smoke free campus?

Yes to all of the above. I'm a little sarcastic and have HS kids myself so this population is good for me.

I work in a 7-12. My thoughts?

The illness are really the same. The 7th grade boys are still such little boys.

I've never seen anyone with such major "cramps" as HS girls. I never went to the school nurse with cramps.

Yes, they do try to get out of class, this is when you call shenanigans and boot them back to class.

There are drugs and alcohol and drama and cutting and suicide attempts. There are sports concussions and injuries.

But yes, you do get to talk to them on a totally different level, and it is nice to see that what you say is somewhat taken under consideration, whether it's how to take care of a turf burn from soccer or drugs and alcohol.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2014

Jen-Elizabeth, what e-cigarette issue? Do you guys have a smoke free campus?

We do. But hasn't stopped kids from bringing them in. Several kids suspended in one week in the MS because of it. But the issue is that students don't understand why they are not good - I am tackling that one myself in one of my first health lessons with the 8th grade after break.

HS - none on property, been talked about among students, though. Last year, we had a few suspended because of bringing cigarettes to school. We are a 100% smoke free school.

I'd like to say I saw suicide thoughts/attempts and cutting more in the HS (though I really want to say I don't see it at all), but it's been equal across the board for me.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Dec 19, 2014

High school all day every day!!! Hands down the best population IMHO to work with. They have a multitude of issues but they are morphing, mostly, into pretty cool young adults! Some are total PIA's but quite often, those are those ones that need you the most! Best and hardest job I have ever loved!!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2014

Thanks for the replies! I was always kind of leary of dealing with that age group due to some of them being so physically bigger and having drug and anger and feeling safe. Have you ever had to deal with that as well? I have kids in that age range and do enjoy interacting with them so I could see how nice that would be. I think I'm just getting a little burnt out on elementary.

Farawyn · Dec 19, 2014

Thanks for the replies! I was always kind of leary of dealing with that age group due to some of them being so physically bigger and having drug and anger and feeling safe. Have you ever had to deal with that as well? I have kids in that age range and do enjoy interacting with them so I could see how nice that would be. I think I'm just getting a little burnt out on elementary.

My kids go to this school and they are both 6 feet tall and will kick anyone's ass who got in my face, these kids know better!

Kidding. Sorta.

I am VERY new to this, but even when assessing kids for alcohol/drugs or whatever they have been mostly quiet and respectful (read: scared to death!) I find the School Nurse to be a Nurse Mom(Dad) situation. You are an adult, but you offer them comfort, too. They get angrier with the teachers than me, so far. In a drug situation there has always been a teacher or a Principal or AP or counselor in the room with me.

I've had grown men and an 101 year old woman go after me when I worked on the floors.

Maybe I'm not wary enough?

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Dec 22, 2014

My kids go to this school and they are both 6 feet tall and will kick anyone's ass who got in my face, these kids know better!
Kidding. Sorta.
I am VERY new to this, but even when assessing kids for alcohol/drugs or whatever they have been mostly quiet and respectful (read: scared to death!) I find the School Nurse to be a Nurse Mom(Dad) situation. You are an adult, but you offer them comfort, too. They get angrier with the teachers than me, so far. In a drug situation there has always been a teacher or a Principal or AP or counselor in the room with me.
I've had grown men and an 101 year old woman go after me when I worked on the floors.
Maybe I'm not wary enough?

Of all the people in the building I think they know they can count on us, even when they are at their worst. They know we will advocate for them. They might not admit that today, but I have had kids come back and tell me that. That is the the little nugget I hold onto every day.