I'm going to lose my mind!!

[jcooks1982]

I thought that by working with middle school and high school children that I would be able to escape silly excuses to "go see the nurse", but alas, I was wrong. I work at an alternative school with kids who are here for anything from minor infractions, up to students who are facing felony charges, on house arrest etc. The same kids who will fight 1 vs. 10 at the drop of a hat come to me repeatedly for paper cuts, splinters, pimples and so forth. I love being a school nurse, but I wish I could cut out the silly stuff and just take care or the real issues. These are the top 10 reasons students come to the clinic that make me feel like I'm on another planet:

10. Pimples.

9. Old scabs that all of a sudden need a band aid.

8. My stomach hurts (knowing that they didn't have breakfast).

7. I'm sleepy.

6. I want to go home. (Guess what? I do too!)

5. Can I call my mom? (then they proceed to LIE right in front of me saying the nurse said I need to go home.

4. I threw up ___ times yesterday (well you look great today)!

3. Repeat offenders asking "do you have medicine for ______? (No! Not without an order) for the millionth time!

2. Student: I don't feel good

Me: Your temp is fine. Do you want to lay down for a while?

Student: No

Me: Do you want water?

Student: No

Me: Do you want me to call someone to come get you?

Student: No

Me: Are you hungry?

Student: No

Me:

1. Students bragging about going to the ER for stupid stuff because, hey, it's free anyway (Medicaid).

Don't mind me. I'm just venting. These "tough kids" can be big babies.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Sounds to me like your day would be filled with "It's fine, go back to class." And the calls to the parent just would not happen - especially if the student burns me once. Good credibility in my office is an important thing and once you blow it- it's gone. Lie to me once and i'll remember it forever. Try to take advantage of me and you'll see a side of Nurse Flare that you just won't like.

I keep a copy of "The boy that Cried Wolf" lying around the office at all times in my suggested reading pile.

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I worked in a middle school for a few years a while back and I too was shocked at how whiny these older kids were! They were very emotional too-always tearing up and would even argue with me when I said they needed to stay. Yep, not any better than the little ones and actually worse in many ways! You definately have to be tougher with them and stand your ground! It's a tough age.

[Windchaser22]

sounds like a lot of those kids are just crying out for attention. I find in the middle school age group that they just want someone to really hear them.

[kidzcare]

2. Student: I don't feel good

My answer to this is always "There are lots of ways you could not feel good. What symptoms have brought you to my office?"

I imagine working in your environment is quite a trip!

[mamahuff]

Sounds to me like your day would be filled with "It's fine, go back to class." And the calls to the parent just would not happen - especially if the student burns me once. Good credibility in my office is an important thing and once you blow it- it's gone. Lie to me once and i'll remember it forever. Try to take advantage of me and you'll see a side of Nurse Flare that you just won't like.

I keep a copy of "The boy that Cried Wolf" lying around the office at all times in my suggested reading pile.

I have a sign that hangs in my office... a quote by Mark Twain. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything."