Is it Friday yet?? (a cautionary tale about locked nurse room doors)

Specialties School

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So... the front desk receptionist just unlocked my locked door (with the sign up that says Nurse Office Closed), and brought a student in... while I was pumping (breast pump) at my desk.

The best part... what was the emergency? The kid needed a snack.

During lunch break.

I want to die. I'm just praying he didn't see too much.

On 2/24/2020 at 2:45 PM, ihavealltheice said:

O.M.G! I'm speechless. How MORTIFYING.

No apologies would make this better. READ.THE.SIGN!!!

Maybe it would have helped if she had said why she needed to close her door.

I guess the need for care doesn't stop for breastfeeding/pumping. Someone still needs a bandaid, their inhaler, or whatever. But I'm sure there is a way to make it clear that you have the door closed for a personal reason that requires privacy for 20 minutes or so. Just communicate that to those who think it's alright to enter your space without permission.

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Specializes in kids.
5 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

I guess the need for care doesn't stop for breastfeeding/pumping. Someone still needs a bandaid, their inhaler, or whatever. But I'm sure there is a way to make it clear that you have the door closed for a personal reason that requires privacy for 20 minutes or so. Just communicate that to those who think it's alright to enter your space without permission.

HUGE difference between a bandaid and an inhaler, HUGE. None of us would mind being interrupted for a BONA FIDE emergency. But, barging in to a locked room is just wrong 8 ways to Sunday. What if she had been assessing a student who had body parts exposed? HER body part was exposed. She HAD made it clear. This person just did what they always do, get their or someone else's needs met, regardless of the situation.

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16 hours ago, EnoughWithTheIce said:

In my soul, I really believe that this would not be done to any other person on a school campus besides the nurse. That is disheartening!!

I would find a place where nobody could find me from here on out

And to not even have the decency to ask the kid what they even needed first!!

I decided I am going to meet with HR about it. We have to form a plan that protects my privacy, but also allows for me to respond to ACTUAL emergencies - you guys know what I mean by ACTUAL emergencies - asthma attacks, diabetic emergencies, seizures, compound fractures with bones sticking out.... not bandaids and headaches and SNACKS (these are the things I have so far been interrupted for).

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7 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

Maybe it would have helped if she had said why she needed to close her door.

I guess the need for care doesn't stop for breastfeeding/pumping. Someone still needs a bandaid, their inhaler, or whatever. But I'm sure there is a way to make it clear that you have the door closed for a personal reason that requires privacy for 20 minutes or so. Just communicate that to those who think it's alright to enter your space without permission.

I lock my door and have a sing that says privacy please or office closed. The front desk lady, the one who keeps walking in, knows my schedule for pumping (I've told her). I did consider sending an email to staff or making a specific sign for pumping privacy, but I actually don't think it's appropriate that I share all that info.

A lot of other nurses here have brought up "what if this happened to a teacher.." And we actually have 4 other nursing moms here, all teachers. I've asked and none have EVER been interrupted while pumping in their office or the pump room - for anything. They also have not informed anyone of their pumping schedules (as these do change from day to day, too). I DO THINK my standard is different because I am basically always on call for an emergency, but none of these issues even approach emergent.

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8 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:

Maybe it would have helped if she had said why she needed to close her door.

I guess the need for care doesn't stop for breastfeeding/pumping. Someone still needs a bandaid, their inhaler, or whatever. But I'm sure there is a way to make it clear that you have the door closed for a personal reason that requires privacy for 20 minutes or so. Just communicate that to those who think it's alright to enter your space without permission.

@jnemartin, I guess you should make a new sign for your door stating "pumping in here, my boobs are freely hanging out and about" maybe even toss in a pic to make it slightly more obvious for people that can't read the general privacy sign nor understand the first time you've told them?‍♀️

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5 minutes ago, ihavealltheice said:

@jnemartin, I guess you should make a new sign for your door stating "pumping in here, my boobs are freely hanging out and about" maybe even toss in a pic to make it slightly more obvious for people that can't read the general privacy sign nor understand the first time you've told them?‍♀️

The funny thing is I really did contemplate how to communicate exactly that - "Feeding my Baby" "Nursing Mom" ...IDK. I mean, I work with MS/HS, they "Get it" and I dont really want them imagining my nipples LOL

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Specializes in school nursing.
3 minutes ago, jnemartin said:

The funny thing is I really did contemplate how to communicate exactly that - "Feeding my Baby" "Nursing Mom" ...IDK. I mean, I work with MS/HS, they "Get it" and I dont really want them imagining my nipples LOL

Just put a picture of a cow with udder on your door. ?

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6 minutes ago, jnemartin said:

The funny thing is I really did contemplate how to communicate exactly that - "Feeding my Baby" "Nursing Mom" ...IDK. I mean, I work with MS/HS, they "Get it" and I dont really want them imagining my nipples LOL

No, that would be even more mortifying thinking of them thinking of your nipples!! Haha!! Maybe something simple like a heart or picture of a baby. I feel like that might go over a teenager's head.

But, regardless of the picture or what you do, the secretary will still likely continue to barge in. I think you're doing the right thing by talking to HR about it and just leaving your office (although it is probably terribly inconvenient).

Another thought is if you have radios, maybe she can just radio in to you? That way she can still talk to you ask you what you think and then have the student wait if you don't deem it an emergency. I mean, that's probably what she'll have to do if you go down to the mommy room anyway.

2 minutes ago, CanIcallmymom said:

Just put a picture of a cow with udder on your door. ?

I mean, that's exactly what you feel like anyway! With a quote "I udderly suggest that you leave that door closed"

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Specializes in school nursing.
1 minute ago, ihavealltheice said:

I mean, that's exactly what you feel like anyway! With a quote "I udderly suggest that you leave that door closed"

GENIUS!

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7 minutes ago, CanIcallmymom said:

Just put a picture of a cow with udder on your door. ?

BWHAHAHAHHAHAHAH

LOL

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Specializes in retired LTC.

You guys are THE MOST hysterically creative bunch.

But OP is most definitely being taken advantage of unlike any other staff.

And she should NOT have to especially defend herself for a benefit that other have without an eyeblink.

OP - request whatever you think is best for you and make sure they stick to it.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Is it the same person who keeps doing this?! Write. Her. Up. Maybe your office should be off limits to her. Along with the cow picture on the door there should be a picture of her with a red circle and line drawn through it.

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