Menstrual Cramps

[Jollysox]

I work at a middle school, and I have girls (mostly sent from PE) that come to the clinic smiling, energetic, etc. They in no way look like they are in any acute distress. Asking to call a parent for pick up due to menstrual cramps. When I call a parent, and the parent is willing to come for pick up, I have noticed that other girls from the same class come to the clinic with cramps, and are asking to go home. Do you all just call a parent and let them decide? I want to avoid sending the message that I will automatically call a parent. Especially if you just say this, or that.

[nurse__ab19]

I don't offer to call parent's right off the bat, unless obviously its emergent. Our school offers basically any OTC medication you could dream of....don't ask me how I feel about this 🙄  I want to change my "Nurse's Office" sign to a light up Walgreens one. I digress. But I usually offer them a midol/tylenol/ibuprofen, I also keep disposable heat packs to use (I get them off Amazon) and offer for them to lay down for 10 minutes. I also explain that cramps aren't something to be sent home over and you can't just leave your job anytime you have period cramps - I have 11th & 12th graders, so this usually gets their attention.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Yeah, I am sympathetic and will give out OTCs, heat packs, and offer a 10min lie down, but unless they are exhibiting s/s of extreme discomfort (doubled over, pale, diaphoretic) or there've been multiple visits, I won't call home, even if they ask. It's less of a problem for me as I am at the elementary level, but it does come up from time to time.

[SavyNurse, ADN, EMT-B]

We don't carry OTC meds and are not allowed heating pads. We also allow students to call parents when they ask. BUT in this case I would be the one calling, informing parent of complaint/findings, and tell them that it is NOT a nurse dismissal. Usually that is enough for them to then speak to the student and send them back to class. If they do pick up it's a parent note and their responsibility. 

[Rhainebo, LPN]

For cases like this I will usually tell them that they are okay to return to class for the time being while I call home as they are not critically ill and do not need to be missing extra class time. I tell them that I will call them down if parents want to retrieve them or bring medication. This allows me to speak to the parents on my own and let them know that in my professional opinion, I did not see any signs of extreme pain or discomfort, that the student was smiling and appeared to be in good spirits, then let it be up to them at that point. If they are missing a lot of school/class you can feel good about advocating to keep them in school and know that you did all that you could.