news article: nurse withholds meds calls crutch

GdBSN, RN · Oct 31, 2017

My philosophy is that if a student asks for their med, i give it. If i feel as though it's becoming a daily medication or is not effective, then you communicate with the parent, don't simply withhold it. Now, perhaps that had done, but if the parent had agreed to that, then they would not have sued.

Agreed, I always ask student to try strategies before coming to me (ie...coping, headache, stomach ache) But if they come to the clinic, I never deny them medication. I tell parents when they drop off medication, that if I have the student in the clinic frequently, I will then call the parent to discuss the situation and possible physician eval.

Eleven011 · Oct 31, 2017

From the article - "The nurse was told to doll out the medication when the student asked, but often refused, saying that the girl was using the pills as "a crutch," and just looking for attention, the claim states."

This is not our call to make. I hope there is more to the story.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2017

I give it as well, especially if we are talking a prescribed PRN vs an OTC covered by my standing orders. Even if the school nurse though the student was using it as a "crutch," did she communicate this to the parent? If I was administering it, I would also connect with the parent if the student were requesting it often, just to let them know and offer additional supports and connections.

I agree, there could be more to the story, but we may never know it.

OldDude · Oct 31, 2017

This seems outrageous but, obviously, the settlement occurred. I looked at the suit from the article link. The nurse named in the suit is shown as currently on staff, with photo, at the school named in the suit...with "Dr" in front of her name. HMMMMM

Oh yea, plaintiff attorney's were paid $49,000 and change out of the 100K settlement. HMMMM

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2017

This seems outrageous but, obviously, the settlement occurred. I looked at the suit from the article link. The nurse named in the suit is shown as currently on staff, with photo, at the school named in the suit...with "Dr" in front of her name. HMMMMM
Oh yea, plaintiff attorney's were paid $49,000 and change out of the 100K settlement. HMMMM

You made me read more, Old Dude. And visit the school webiste. HMMMM indeed.

grammy1 · Nov 1, 2017

She got her PhD in 2014. I did a google search on her and found her dissertation.

The relationships of parental self-efficacy, parental locus of control, children's health-promoting behaviors, and childhood obesity - ProQuest

100kids, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2017

Yeah I agree I never refuse to give the med but if I think it's a problem or a crutch I communicate that with the parents. There's always more to the story...

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Nov 1, 2017

I have several Motrin addicts, they want it for everything. In light of the opioid epidemic and my role as health educator, I will explain at length that the first choice for discomfort should not be pharmaceutical. I do not withhold meds, I call the parent to consult and send in a personal stash so their child isn't monopolizing my stock. Would love for a more detailed account than this.