How many visits do they have before you would officially label them a frequent flyer? I'm sending letters home to parents of those I know are definately frequent flyers but was wondering how many times a parent would agree was too many and that I wasn't just trying to shirk my responsibilities.
If I was told my child had seen the nurse more than 3-4 times of vague complaints (not legitimate things like injuries, fevers, etc) then I'd be having a talk with my kid about skipping class but I know for many that's nothing so would 10 be a good number to start with? I know about half the school I see less than 5 times a year and others I see 5 times a month. A lot of this depends on the teacher but I've learned they don't see a problem with it and most refuse to change. We have one teacher who sent her students over 500 times this year!! The principal is aware but she literally doesn't say no to anything no matter how stupid. She will send them if they complain about itching on an arm for a few seconds where there's nothing there! Her class must be really BORING!
I've had success in the past working with the parents but wanted ideas on a good starting point of number of visits that's too many because I ususally only talk to the parents of those that have a huge number and I want to start stopping this before it gets too huge. (There are some I know having family issues, school issues, etc but I'm talking about those I know it's just because they're getting away with getting out of class all the time.) Thanks!
I have 600 K-5 students and I see about an average of 25 visits in a day. (Not counting minor stuff like paper cuts.) The majority are nuisance visits. (vague headache or stomach ache, then of course that same student is playing tag at recess.
Tina, RN; Are you able to print out visit records and give them to the teacher? Have the parents been notified? You are dealing with a LOT of visits that are taking away from instructional time. Utilize the teachers and parents to put a stop to the nonsense.
When does a student become a frequent flyer? When they walk into my clinic, and before I can open my mouth, say the following all in one big breath:
"I have a headache and a stomach ache and I feel dizzy. I cannot cannot concentrate in class so my teacher sent me down. No, I did not feel this way until I got to school (Hence parents unaware). Yes, I ate breakfast this morning. Cereal and a banana. Yes, I have been drinking PLENTY of water. No, I have not had any diarrhea. No, I have not puked yet.....BUT I threw up a little in my mouth. (Oh and btw) My Mom and Dad are at work but you can call my big brother to come and pick me up!"
I have 600 K-5 students and I see about an average of 25 visits in a day. (Not counting minor stuff like paper cuts.) The majority are nuisance visits. (vague headache or stomach ache, then of course that same student is playing tag at recess.
Tina, RN; Are you able to print out visit records and give them to the teacher? Have the parents been notified? You are dealing with a LOT of visits that are taking away from instructional time. Utilize the teachers and parents to put a stop to the nonsense.
I do count every visit, even the "invisible" cuts that "need bandaids". I figure that if I have to stop what I'm doing to take a look at whatever the issue is, I better take credit for it! At least then they will know why my screenings aren't done yet! LOL
Unfortunately, it has been made very clear to me that the culture of my building will not be changing. They are extremely over-reactive to every little thing. The staff seems to try to "out-helicopter" eachother in terms of the children, if you know what I mean? I have been accused of not being compassionate and accused of not "doing enough" for the kids. Even though I run myself ragged. I'm not having any issues with parents, just staff. But, I fear that if I notify the parents, that will rub the staff wrong, and things will get even worse here for me.
At this point, I'm just trying to make it to the end of the year, then I'll explore my options...
When does a student become a frequent flyer? When they walk into my clinic, and before I can open my mouth, say the following all in one big breath:
"I have a headache and a stomach ache and I feel dizzy. I cannot cannot concentrate in class so my teacher sent me down. No, I did not feel this way until I got to school (Hence parents unaware). Yes, I ate breakfast this morning. Cereal and a banana. Yes, I have been drinking PLENTY of water. No, I have not had any diarrhea. No, I have not puked yet.....BUT I threw up a little in my mouth. (Oh and btw) My Mom and Dad are at work but you can call my big brother to come and pick me up!"
Yep! If they already know my interview questions they are definite frequent flyers.
"I have a stomach ache. Yes, I ate breakfast and the last time I pooped was yesterday."
I do count every visit, even the "invisible" cuts that "need bandaids". I figure that if I have to stop what I'm doing to take a look at whatever the issue is, I better take credit for it! At least then they will know why my screenings aren't done yet! LOL
Unfortunately, it has been made very clear to me that the culture of my building will not be changing. They are extremely over-reactive to every little thing. The staff seems to try to "out-helicopter" eachother in terms of the children, if you know what I mean? I have been accused of not being compassionate and accused of not "doing enough" for the kids. Even though I run myself ragged. I'm not having any issues with parents, just staff. But, I fear that if I notify the parents, that will rub the staff wrong, and things will get even worse here for me.
At this point, I'm just trying to make it to the end of the year, then I'll explore my options...
We have that culture at my schools too. I once had a staff member walk a student into the health office from recess and said her lip was bleeding. There was no bleeding by the time they got to me and absolutely no sign of injury outside or inside, and no report of injury. Who knows what happened there, but it was important that the student be escorted! Another time a student told me he was punched in the face. We iced the area and there was no swelling or discoloration or pain. When the principal came to see him to investigate the incident, which ended up being an accident, she told me, holding his head straight, "When you look at his face head on, doesn't it look like that side is a little swollen?!" And I just looked at her and said, "No. I think it looks normal." Seriously, did I not look at him head on when I made my assessment? And whenever a staff member brings a kid in, they always involve themselves in my assessment with things like "Keep the thermometer under your tongue!" or "Can you smile?" - really, a teacher is now doing neuro checks... and everyone that passes by to get to the staff fridge stops to chat with my resting kids about what's going on. I feel like I need to lay some ground rules at next years back to school staff meeting. This was my first year, and now I know better!
Unfortunately, it has been made very clear to me that the culture of my building will not be changing. They are extremely over-reactive to every little thing. The staff seems to try to "out-helicopter" eachother in terms of the children, if you know what I mean? I have been accused of not being compassionate and accused of not "doing enough" for the kids. Even though I run myself ragged. I'm not having any issues with parents, just staff.
Oh, I completely understand! Today was nuts with three different occasions of children sent down to "sleep" in the health office. Others "felt warm" to the teacher, way too many stomach aches, etc.
I feel for me a big part of the problem is:
1. The teacher's fear of not sending a child who actually IS sick or injured and they ignore it
2. The liability based world we live in. (See number 1.)
3. Teachers and paraprofessionals just don't want to invest the time or energy into re-directing a complaining student. They take the path of least resistance, and that = a nurse visit.
Even teachers who I know are parents make some of the most boneheaded decisions about what does/doesn't need ice, who seems legit sick, etc.
Today was a bad day. Can you tell?
But seriously. Today I also printed out my visit log and gave it to my Principal. I have never done that before but it was really out of hand with nonsense visits. Maybe I jinxed myself earlier in the thread!
Tina, how long have you been doing this job? I know my first year was hell on wheels, seeing sometimes 60+ kids in a day. It has gotten better....Overall.
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
Another NY nurse here. A teacher sent a kid to me today because she didn't eat as much as usual. Meanwhile, this is a ten year old who is probably obese. The teacher was scared that the child was starving herself because she didn't finish both of her sandwiches. More likely she wanted to go out to the yard and run around.
By the way, is it only my school that celebrates administrative professional week during nurse's week
By the way, is it only my school that celebrates administrative professional week during nurse's week
No, ours does too which I wouldn't mind as much if they even took a nanosecond to recognize me. We have secretaries day, boss day, and teacher's week but absolutely nothing for the nurse.
Another NY nurse here. A teacher sent a kid to me today because she didn't eat as much as usual. Meanwhile, this is a ten year old who is probably obese. The teacher was scared that the child was starving herself because she didn't finish both of her sandwiches. More likely she wanted to go out to the yard and run around.
By the way, is it only my school that celebrates administrative professional week during nurse's week
SnowyJ, RN
844 Posts
I have 600 K-5 students and I see about an average of 25 visits in a day. (Not counting minor stuff like paper cuts.) The majority are nuisance visits. (vague headache or stomach ache, then of course that same student is playing tag at recess.
Tina, RN; Are you able to print out visit records and give them to the teacher? Have the parents been notified? You are dealing with a LOT of visits that are taking away from instructional time. Utilize the teachers and parents to put a stop to the nonsense.