Immunization Drama

[Amethya]

Do not post on Facebook.

I am extremely pissed off right now at my secretary, who thinks she's the one in charge.

I'm currently getting my immunizations done for our snapshot for the state. (Texas). I have almost all of them done, I got only 18 no compliant 7th graders and 3 Kinder. I'm calling and she comes in my office because her child is on the list. Before I go on, I went through ALL my records, I didn't see any record of his at all here in my files. I went to his file in the front office, and nothing there either. I got his record online, but it's missing his immunizations for 7th grade, Meningitis and Tdap. I mentioned this to her and she said I gave them to you last year, you should have them. I explained I don't because the only things I got from his file was his screenings, I never got them. She is calling me irresponsible and unorganized. I asked her if she can give me a copy, she said no, I should have them.

I am just trying to do my job, and I'm honestly close to tears.

I'm not sure how to handle her and explain her to just give me another copy and I'll say it's fine.

[BeckyESRN]

I know you're heated right now, but you may want to edit your post.

To address the issue: she needs to give you a copy of his immunizations, period. He's non-complaint and, if it's exclusion time, he'll be excluded. Things get misplaced all the time, sometimes by the parent, sometimes by the kiddo, and even sometimes by the nurse. It happens, but it's her responsibility to provide a copy, she needs to do so

[WineRN]

I know you're heated right now, but you may want to edit your post.

I agree. We don't want to loose you on here for a heated comment

And I would go above her and let them that you need those documents because the hard copies are not here anymore. That way someone else knows you have asked for them, and when it comes to exclusion time you have some support.

[Amethya]

I agree. We don't want to loose you on here for a heated comment

And I would go above her and let them that you need those documents because the hard copies are not here anymore. That way someone else knows you have asked for them, and when it comes to exclusion time you have some support.

What did I write wrong?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Apologize profusely that you can't find the record( which maybe she never sent but whatever) and say she will need to resubmit. The end. Your district probably has a policy that says sweet baby will have to leave if the vaccine record isn't there. If it turns out she doesn't have them then perhaps you could be gracious and work with her pediatrician, but if she doesn't have them then how would she have given them to you?

I wish I had a dollar for every time a parent told me they sent something and didn't....I could buy all y'all Starbucks. But then there are days, especially at the beginning of the year when there is just So. Much.Paper. Everywhere.

[GdBSN, RN]

Have you checked ImmTrac or called the doctor's office. In the end, it is still her responsibility to get you the records. If you don't have them, then her student is excluded just like any other student.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Honestly, if it were me, I would probably look and see where he got his physical and call the doctors office for a copy. You've asked mom, and she's being...less than helpful. It could be because she truly gave them to you and they were misplaced (it happens) or it could be because her snowflake hasn't gotten his required immunizations and she knows she's in trouble.

Either way, that is what I would do. Yes, it might be more work for me, but calling the office and having the paperwork I need is less of a headache than hassling uncooperative parents and getting no results then getting dinged for not having the cert.

[AdobeRN]

This is the one of the reasons our district really sticks to the Texas immunization requirements. We exclude from day 1 - no mercy on these people who wait till the last minute. If a student does not have complete records they are not placed on a teacher list and must turn in the required paperwork before their classroom info is released to them. Ever since it came down from above and principals are told at their meetings to exclude I have not had any trouble with getting the required records. I just have to worry about chasing down people on the catch up schedule when dose #2, #3 etc are required.

[Txschoolrn]

I would apologize as well and *if* you have the time, follow up with the students pediatricians office. However, when parents put up a struggle, I just say it's not my rules, rather the state's, so I have no wiggle room. It is what it is. You either provide the record or kid is excluded, and the law will back you up no matter how many copies the parent *said* they provided. She is also probably displacing on you because she is unorganized and can't find it herself.

[Amethya]

So update time:

So it's now not just this secretary, but 2 parents who have the tendacy to yell at me. And I mean angry yelling. I literally cried yesterday and I was so upset I left home.

Yesterday was our last day for immunizations turn in and today I had only one parent, and she was super upset, yelling and I told her until she calms down, I will not speak to her about this situation. I hung up and I let my OM and my principal handle it. I did do a mistake, I was in such a hurry to give letters out, I didn't notice I did not edit out the last part of my letter which said the due date, instead it stayed the same "You have 30 days to get this done." I didn't notice this until now and I was in slight trouble, but the principal just told me to not do this again and fix the letters for our next batch of immunizations.

Other than this, I'm only 6 kids away from complete compliance for the snapshot and will start on my next batch.

[WineRN]

So update time:

So it's now not just this secretary, but 2 parents who have the tendacy to yell at me. And I mean angry yelling. I literally cried yesterday and I was so upset I left home.

Yesterday was our last day for immunizations turn in and today I had only one parent, and she was super upset, yelling and I told her until she calms down, I will not speak to her about this situation. I hung up and I let my OM and my principal handle it. I did do a mistake, I was in such a hurry to give letters out, I didn't notice I did not edit out the last part of my letter which said the due date, instead it stayed the same "You have 30 days to get this done." I didn't notice this until now and I was in slight trouble, but the principal just told me to not do this again and fix the letters for our next batch of immunizations.

Other than this, I'm only 6 kids away from complete compliance for the snapshot and will start on my next batch.

I'm sorry that happened. And I know it's hard but you can't take it personally. I feel like angry parents are just a part of the job, and it is hard when they personally attack you, but as long as you are following and upholding the protocol in your school, you will be fine.

[Amethya]

I'm sorry that happened. And I know it's hard but you can't take it personally. I feel like angry parents are just a part of the job, and it is hard when they personally attack you, but as long as you are following and upholding the protocol in your school, you will be fine.

yeah I kinda learned this the hard way. I mean I have 7 years of experience with retail, I know how it feel when people yell at you, but I been super stressed lately that it just effected more than it should.

I am fine today, I held my ground with the parents and co-workers today and I'm just trying to do better.