Interesting question for school nurses

[SchoolNurse101]

I just started my first school nurse job at a high school. I have critical care background. Wanted something with less stress! Haha I have a health clerk in my office that assists me with certain things and does a lot of the paperwork side of things, immunization records, etc. The nurse there before me was there for several years. I noticed that the curtains around the exam tables are see through - they're navy but there thin enough you can see through them easily. And I said "let's put in a request for new curtains - For me, I would never feel okay having to undress or pump (for new mothers) behind one of those! And the health clerk said "Oh we don't do naked in here! If a student has a rash or an insect bite or something on there thigh or buttock I tell them to go to the bathroom, take a picture of it, and bring it out to show me." And I told her I found that interesting.. I said "I would have no problem examining something like that on a student with you here in the office with me. As a nurse, I would want to see it with my own eyes to give a proper assessment. And I want the students to feel comfortable and not ashamed." She said "That was just the other nurse's policy. I don't know why but that's what she always said." I'm going to check and see if it is a school policy or something, but have any of you heard of such a thing?? I guess I don't think twice about a patient being naked in front of me, I mean, we're nurses!! What is the policy on this at your school?

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I the way it was said above: if a bathing suit would cover it, I don't look. Generally if the complaint involves that area I can figure out what needs to be done with a symptom list and would call the parent if I felt follow-up was needed.

I have lifted shirts to look at a torso, etc with student permission, but not really lifting up more than a few inches. I have done scoliosis screening with students wearing tank tops in my office one at a time with another adult present. But there are limits in school nursing and I respect 'em. I also want to avoid being on evening news :).