Need to vent..

Specialties School

Published

I haven't even been a school nurse for a whole month and I'm already frustrated. I've had to learn everything from concussion protocols to DCFS body scans and 504s/IEPS with very little help. I've had psych admissions, kids sent out with suicidal ideation, a transgender student no one mentioned... When I asked the principal for an update on a student who I did a body scan on I get no reply. Yet Im asked to provide a statement of my findings to an officer. My office is no where near the main office so I don't hear about anything going on until EMS or police walk by my door. I feel so out of the loop on things as it is. The secretary basically told me "they'll tell you what they think you should know." Coming from hospital nursing I'm just not use to this. I get there are HIPAA regulations but I treat the students too! Shouldn't there be better communication or are school nurses not privileged to this type of information? I'm asking about suspected child abuse, suicidal ideation, psych admissions, transgender/social issues. If there are known problems I'd like to know how to be able to modify things I ask or teach when I see that particular student. We are all a team after all and have the students best interest in mind. Thoughts??

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Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

I've struggled with this as well. Often I feel like the last person to know everything, from custody issues to peanut allergies. My take is that unless a student has been a frequent visitor to me, the parents sort of forget I exist so forget to clue me in. And the staff are just so wrapped up in whatever is going on that they forget about me. Until I'm trying to choke down an egg salad on rye, I mean God forbid I ever eat. That's when all the "emergencies" happen that no one else can handle.

Basically, I have gotten used to being forgotten by most and misused/abused by a few. I'm talking about the families that think I'm a primary care provider.

Hey, I still get summers off.

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Well glad it's not just me. I am already looking forward to summer!! :sarcastic:

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Honestly, I get all the information I don't need, and none of the information I do! So I feel your pain. I'm also pretty far away from the main office, so I do get skipped over some times. And I agree with NurseBeans, that parents rarely remember to alert the school nurse to changes that may affect the kids in school even if the new med or diagnosis isn't something that "should" affect them during those 8 hours...

You're definitely not alone!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

OK this may be the exception to the dumb question rule, since I'm a Cave Nurse, but what is a DCFS body scan?

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Specializes in School nursing.
OK this may be the exception to the dumb question rule, since I'm a Cave Nurse, but what is a DCFS body scan?

I'm thinking OP may be a full visual scan after reported abuse. But I don't do a truly full body exam in school - if I have a request to check an area that would be covered by a bathing suit, I'm referring out to the child's doctor.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

You aren't alone. The school nurse often is the last to know. It's been one of my biggest struggles as well. I feel like I'm constantly needing to advocate for my value to the school and my place in this crazy educational system. It's one of the reasons I'm leaving at the end of the school year. :sniff:

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I've struggled with this as well. Often I feel like the last person to know everything, from custody issues to peanut allergies. My take is that unless a student has been a frequent visitor to me, the parents sort of forget I exist so forget to clue me in. And the staff are just so wrapped up in whatever is going on that they forget about me. Until I'm trying to choke down an egg salad on rye, I mean God forbid I ever eat. That's when all the "emergencies" happen that no one else can handle.

Basically, I have gotten used to being forgotten by most and misused/abused by a few. I'm talking about the families that think I'm a primary care provider.

Hey, I still get summers off.

THIS!! 6 minute lunches with 4 interruptions gets very old....

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I don't even know if that's the right term. :blink: basically a suspected child abuse case where you get called in to do a body scan for bruises etc.. the form you fill out for DCFS has a body chart on it. The case worker called it a body scan.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I feel your pain, there is a lot to learn but you will get there! Just an FYI, schools are covered under FERPA ( family educational rights and privacy act) not HIPAA. It might be good to familiarize yourself with that. If you need anything...we are all here to help :)

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