Non-Nurses calling themselves a Nurse

[sarajasmine]

The school district my child goes to has a CNA in the school clinic, who refers to herself as "The school Nurse". I thought she was either an LVN or RN until last week when she had me come pick up my child from school. She had a little nausea but, she said she needed to stay out for two days due to a small rash on her face that she diagnosed as "Wingworm"! She told me to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal and treat for two days when she would be allowed to return to school! (I think that is practicing medicine w/o a license?!) I asked did she mean ringworm-she said no, wingworm...so, I had her write that down on the standard form they use when children are sent hm. Maybe the school board is exempt from following the law?!

Well, I took her to our family Doctor who said, she doesn't have ringworm-it's impetigo and prescribed bactriban.

My beef is that the teachers even refer to her as the school nurse-I wonder if

they even know the difference between an LVN or RN and a CNA? I sent a letter to the Assistant Superintendant for the district but, have not heard a reply. I think I am no different than most of you who have worked hard for your RN or LVN license and earn the respect of being called a "Nurse". I was a CNA before I was an LPN and have now been an RN over 20 yrs. As a CNA, I knew my place and my limits of practice. Any other parent or Nurse concerned about this?

[pepsihla]

Regardless if she calls her self a nurse or not, she is making a diagnosis, something a nurse should not do, especially a school health aid.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

WOW. :trout: :trout: :trout: :trout:

[MissJoRN, RN]

Where ever I've done private duty in PA schools they are "Health aides" or "Health room techs" Actually, even RNs cannot be called "School Nurse" unless they are cetified, here.

The complete opposite is that I've had teachers refer to me as So-and-so's "aide" Hello? I'm currently suctioning the child and managing a vent... "aide"? Of course, it goes along with some insulting behavior, but that's another thread...

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

In NC it is illegal to use the title 'nurse' unless you have the license. I'm amazed.

[GingerSue]

doesn't have the right to diagnose or prescribe

"wingworm"?

maybe some changes ahead?

[Batman24]

The most disturbing thing is that she is giving parents a diagnosis. Apparently she has decided to annoint herself a doctor. Yikes.The danger in all of this is that parents who don't know any better might be treating their child for "wingworm" or some other lunacy without getting the child proper diagnosis and medication.

I wouldn't let this drop. Your child was lucky and will be just fine. Another child might not be and the result could be tragic.

[kuskwah]

Here's an analogy a fellow school nurse from Colorado uses: "If your child was in the hospital, you would have a fit if the cleaning lady came in the room to give your child their medicine. How is it suddenly 'ok' for an unlicensed person to administer medication in a school?" The National Association of School Nurses is campaigning strongly for a school nurse consultant position at the State Department of Education to help "educate" the educators about how health and education interact, and the importance of addressing health in a safe way, to enhance education. We need registered nurses from all "walks of life" to support this intiative by contacting your state senators and congresspeople. As nurses, we need to support each other!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

"wingworm" - That's a new one...others I've heard from "nurses"

"infantigo"

"sugar diabetes"

"O2 stats"

I personally CRINGE every time I get report on a patient that is "statting in the low 90's". Like they don't know what the abbreviation stands for. Ick.

Maybe this is petty, but how many people do you know that mispronounce "phenergan"? Seems epidemic here: "phenegran" is most common, along with....wait for it...."finnigan". Although I admit that one was a unit secretary. Still....

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

"wingworm"........I musta missed that part of the micro lecture on parasites.......or is that parachutes?

ROFL!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I just got a Scholastic book order in for my child, and one of the books was "Going to the Dentist" by Mercer Mayer. And wouldn't you know it, as we read together, there were many pages of text and pictures about "the nurse" at the reception desk, "the nurse" taking x-rays, "the nurse" giving the creature something to swish and spit. Of course "the nurse" was nothing of the sort, but we wonder why people get confused?

[RN BSN 2009]

"wingworm"........I musta missed that part of the micro lecture on parasites.......or is that parachutes?

I agree with Hopeful, you should write a letter to the editor. I recently did that over an issue of student safety at my daughter's high school, after trying repeatedly to reach the principal and then members of the school board. One letter to the editor and all of a sudden the entire board was tripping over themselves trying to call me, and the principal was on the hot seat. Very effective.

:lol2:

[jjjoy, LPN]

Here's an analogy a fellow school nurse from Colorado uses: "If your child was in the hospital, you would have a fit if the cleaning lady came in the room to give your child their medicine. How is it suddenly 'ok' for an unlicensed person to administer medication in a school?"

Not quite the same thing, as I'd imagine that the formal policy is that the aide or secretary would have had some kind of instruction in administering a routine medication to a child with a stable, chronic condition. One could argue that parents aren't qualified to give their children such routine meds, either. Or that a responsible, capable child would need a licensed professional to administer their routine meds for them. I'm not saying that it's okay to not provide licensed personnel in the school. I'm only saying that it's not the same as housekeeping personnel happening into a hospital room and administering a medication.

I do agree that school districts should provide for licensed school nurses.