Letter home for our frequent visitors?

Farawyn · Oct 6, 2015

I'll call. The parents like the call, it's not as formal, and they are more likely to spill if other things are going on at home that may be making their kid visits you so much.

I do document the call.

100kids, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2015

I call as well. I find it helps me get any information about situations at home. With some frequent fliers this helps, with others their parents don't seem to care they see me 7xs a week. You learn which are receptive quickly.

OldDude · Oct 6, 2015

Aye, I agree. A note is more trouble for me and, if it reaches the parent, it is usually read at a time of the parent's convenience. My intent with a phone call is to inconvenience the parent to some degree; I think it has a greater impact on the frequent visits - IF it is going to have an impact at all.

tining, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2015

First I tell the student the "Boy who cried wolf" story then I ask the student - "What would your parent think of you coming in so much - would she be happy or sad?" - "The next time you come in for something other than a real illness, I will be calling home - what do you think she will say?" This usually prompts the student to say she will be upset/she would want me in class. This usually stops the visits, and when they do come back in I call the parent in front of them - "Sally has seen me (four) times this week for (whatever) reason, I have explained to Sally that she should come when she truly needs to." This may not work with everyone, but for some it totally stops. If there is a true illness then you get valuable information!

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Oct 6, 2015

I agree. The phone call is usually better as it does inconvenience the parent. I always use this line " Susie has been in the clinic 4 tiimes this month. I noticed that according to her health record she has no known health issues, is there something that has come up that I need to be aware of?"

KThurmond · Oct 8, 2015

I agree with the phone call. That is the only way to be sure the parent will actually get the information and you get a direct answer

allnurses Guide · Oct 8, 2015

I agree with phoning the parent. Who knows if a note home will even get to the parent? I have enough trouble getting parents to return medical forms.

SnowyJ, RN · Oct 8, 2015

I also will print out visit records for the teacher. Often they aren't keeping track, and then realize they are permitting too many visits and that results in lost instructional time. One student last year had 40 visits in less than 4 months! The teacher was shocked.

This is important because sometimes the students sneak in during "specials," just at the end of recess, etc.

I do call or email parents if visits seem to be excessive as well.

Eleven011 · Oct 8, 2015

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm sure calling will get more of a reaction that a note, I just feel like parents are already dreading seeing my number on caller ID! Guess I need to get over that :)

kidzcare · Oct 8, 2015

I just feel like parents are already dreading seeing my number on caller ID!

Yes! This took me a while to get over and sometimes it's still hard. I've learned to open with "Hi! This is KidzCare from the school. There's no emergency-- Little Johnny isn't even in my office right now. I'm calling because *(your kid comes in too much, I need paperwork, you haven't sent in the epi pen, ect....)*

Farawyn · Oct 9, 2015

Yes! This took me a while to get over and sometimes it's still hard. I've learned to open with "Hi! This is KidzCare from the school. There's no emergency-- Little Johnny isn't even in my office right now. I'm calling because *(your kid comes in too much, I need paperwork, you haven't sent in the epi pen, ect....)*

That's exactly what I say.

The parents I like are the ones who answer the phone by saying "Uh oh..."