Is the student pregnant?

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Hello my fellow school nurses,

I was approached by one of the HS assistant principals regarding a 12th grader who they think looks like she might be pregnant. Thie issue is that they want me to meet with the student and inquire about if she is pregnant or not ( in the manner that the teachers noticed changes and are concerned ). I happen to like this asst. Prinicipal very much but I think it is a little intrusive of the student's privacy especially since she is a senior and is graduating in less than 2 months. Even if the student is pregnant I think it is a violation of HIPPA and FERPA which doesn't require me to share this information with anyone else in the school. I don't see how this student being pregnant is pertinent to the remainder of her senior year.

What are your thoughts?

PS There is already a pregnant 11th grader who is openly pregnant in the school. Also I'm a very experienced nurse in Labor and Delivery.

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I don't know the answer, but as a High School nurse, I'm looking forward to hearing it!

Does she ever come to your office for anything?

(RNqueens, how are you! I've missed you!)

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Specializes in PACU.

Why do they need to know? Are they concerned for her healthwise? Otherwise, it is none of their business.

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Hey Farawyn,

I am well, miss you too !

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@BeachyRN2Be those are my thoughts exactly. I have access to the students attendance record. I am going to do a little investigative work and contact her guidance counselor to see if the student is in jeopardy of not graduating. If not I don't see why that is need to know info. I have never seen the student since I've been at this school.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The only benefit of you speaking with her would be that you can make sure she is knowledgeable about pregnancy "steps" and prenatal or what not (as you can tell.. not my field of expertise!)

Maybe connect her with community resources if needed.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I agree - no need for you to pry. If she feels she needs help, she will come to you. Anything more would be intrusive.

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If I had a relationship with this student I might "accidentally" bump into them and engage in conversation to give her an opportunity to tell me if she wants to but even if she tells you you can't share that information with those asking you anyway.

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Specializes in School nursing.
If I had a relationship with this student I might "accidentally" bump into them and engage in conversation to give her an opportunity to tell me if she wants to but even if she tells you you can't share that information with those asking you anyway.

Yep, exactly what I would do. If she is pregnant, that information is protected in my state to the point where I can't even document it. I can give her the information she needs to have a pregnancy test done or get prenatal care, etc. I don't have to call her parents, nor share that information will anyone in the school without the student's explicit permission.

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I spoke with the guidance counselor today and apparently the school lawyer's have stated that the school is to notify the parents if the student is pregnan even if she is 18. So I guess I have to be intrusive. :no:

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I spoke with the guidance counselor today and apparently the school lawyer's have stated that the school is to notify the parents if the student is pregnan even if she is 18. So I guess I have to be intrusive. :no:

This is what's confusing to me, and what I have a problem with. The inconsistency.

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Specializes in Acute Care, CM, School Nursing.

What if you ask her, and she is not. Then she is going to freak out, and tell her parents that you asked. Then it's going to be really bad...

I wouldn't want to be put in that position...

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