High School Nurses how do you....

algae1492 · Aug 15, 2018

Assess the student.

Is there a physiologic reason for the student being tired? Consider medication side effects or recent illness. Is the student being bullied? Is the student feeling depressed and looking for a private chat?

Rule out everything else, then notify the parent. Host a parent conference inviting a teacher, counselor, social worker, and/or administrator.

BettyGirard, BSN · Aug 15, 2018

Yes, let parents know. After a consult, we may "turf" the student back to class.

peacockblue · Aug 15, 2018

I try to get to the bottom of it-do they work super late? Are they hungover? Are they avoiding a particular class everyday? Are they hungry? If I can't figure it out, I send them to guidance. Sometimes it is just class avoidance and there is not much I can do. If they are with me, they are not roaming the halls causing trouble. As long as the teacher guidance and admin know, I have done all I can. Fortunately, there are not too many students like that.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2018

Thanks!! I definitely get making sure to fully assess and rule other things out first!!

Do anyone ever let the student just rest after ruling everything else physical, emotional, social out?

I work in the inner city so a lot of these kids may be up all night because of environmental issues like police sirens, gun shots, or some have to work and work late.

I don't want them to take advantage though and I want to start out being consistent. I am the new nurse to the school and some know this already, and testing the waters already.

withme · Aug 16, 2018

High School Nurses how do you deal with the I am tired shenanigans.
Do you ever allow them rest or do you say sorry I don't let tired students rest and send back to class?
I know I need to be firm when it comes to high school kids especially.

I'm not a nurse, but I don't like it when my child fails a class because of something that needs to be addressed. My child's illness happened during a science class. It was fixed when I stepped and asked the principal, social worker, and a nurse to discourage my child's behavior right in front of my teen's face. And quit bugging me for something they could do. I was a pain in the neck. Since then, she has been a rolling A/B student. She visited a nurse when she needed it for real. No malingering at a nurse clinic.

MWOOD,LPN · Aug 16, 2018

I have dealt with frequent flyers in middle school, I always speak with the teacher when I begin noticing the trend of them missing too much of a particular class. I will speak with the guidance person as well, in case there is something going on that they are aware of but I am not. If those two things do not help, then I will contact the parent and let them know that I am seeing them around this time every day which is during x class. I will request that they speak to their child about it and usually the parents tell me that if they are not vomiting or have a fever they need to go back to class.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Aug 16, 2018

Thanks!! I definitely get making sure to fully assess and rule other things out first!!
Do anyone ever let the student just rest after ruling everything else physical, emotional, social out?
I work in the inner city so a lot of these kids may be up all night because of environmental issues like police sirens, gun shots, or some have to work and work late.
I don't want them to take advantage though and I want to start out being consistent. I am the new nurse to the school and some know this already, and testing the waters already.

Sometimes they just need a quiet place. Im ok with that , within reason