Notifying Parent?

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in Pediatric / school.

I've been a school nurse for several years but I've noticed a recent trend in parents wanting to be notified anytime their kid comes to see me. I have nurses slips that go home with the students for minor issues and typically for any visible injuries or head bumps I almost always notify by phone just in the event a bruise forms or there may be some other issue that develops at home.  Occasionally I will have someone from PE that comes without a nurses slip and I'll assess the student and give them a cool compress more because they request it rather than they need it. Anyway I had an upset parent call to complain about me not notifying her. She's very rude and from my perspective I've seen her bully teachers and other staff members around over the years to get what she wants. I know that's part of being a professional in our field is to appease parents but I just don't know the legality of notifying a parent. Is it a BON concern if I don't make contact in a small situation or ? unfortunately my administration won't really defend me. It's just frustrating because my MO is to protect and serve these kids. I just wish people understood that I have your kiddos best interest at heart and I take my job very seriously. Administration is telling me the parent is requesting anytime her child comes to me that I ALWAYS call her even if it's to request a band aid for a blister. I just feel like that's setting me up for failure. -End rant LOL

 

Thoughts?

Specializes in School Health.

I am in Florida and with a new law that was enacted in the last 2-3 years I believe and per my district policy, I have to notify parent any time a student is seen in my office.  The only exception to this is daily medication.  If a student comes in for a bandage, pad, temperature check, etc. then I must contact the parent and document my attempt at contacting the parent.

Specializes in kids.
Mrs.Nurse said:

I am in Florida and with a new law that was enacted in the last 2-3 years I believe and per my district policy, I have to notify parent any time a student is seen in my office.  The only exception to this is daily medication.  If a student comes in for a bandage, pad, temperature check, etc. then I must contact the parent and document my attempt at contacting the parent.

😱 That is insane

Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

We have a few families like that in my district - since it isn't too many, we just do what they ask and eventually they get sick of the constant notifications - it's interesting that those same families seem to have students who are frequent flyers.... I wonder why.....

Specializes in School Health.
NutmeggeRN said:

😱 That is insane

I will admit it, I do make a lot of calls every day.  But I have to follow policy in order to be in compliance with this law and to also keep my job.

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

Our documenting system (SNAP) allows us to send an email easily, so we do.  Per our admin and health services, we send an email to every parent for every visit (except daily meds).  

We have a parent that wants to be called every time LD comes in, and another that is (I suspect) bat-poo cray cray, so we call her when LD comes in.  Other than that, the emails seem to suffice.  

I would say, give this parent what they want.  Call every time kiddo comes in.  And I mean, EVERY TIME.  LD wants a band-aid? Call Mom.  Ice pack for non-existent injury? Call Mom.  Change of clothes because they spilt water on themselves? Call Mom.  If LD is a frequent flyer, Mom will get tired of it.

I don't know if it's different for different schools, but one school in my district is the same. Except for maybe a baby tooth that has fallen, we have to call unless it's a daily med. Which does make it hard for time management and student privacy when you have dozens of students through the day.

The reasoning being you don't want the kid to go home, say they went to the health office, and the parent wondering why they weren't called. And at the end of the day, it's up to the parent if they want to take them out anyway. 

 

 

 

Specializes in School Health.

Hi there! I had a parent like this last year. I called every time her daughter came in and would let her speak to her daughter, too. She truly appreciated the calls. We developed a rapport and she grew to trust me in caring for her daughter. I know it seems trivial, and sometimes it is, but I think the crux of it, for most parents/guardians, comes down to trust. Once that's established, it puts their mind at ease. I can't comment on districts that require it, though. 

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

You should contact the parent in the fashion that they request when their child seeks your care or guidance.  You can view this as an opportunity to build a professional communication pathway which can improve the efficacy of your interactions with the student.  

You'll want to keep detailed records so that you can defend your time usage to the school district.  

Specializes in School Nursing.
NutmeggeRN said:

😱 That is insane

I totally agree. I hope the Nurses in Fl. have secretaries. I wouldn't have time to make all those calls for foolish visits that we get just for the student to get out of class.. I'm in a HS with 2,000 students....

Specializes in kids.
BunnyBunnyBSNRN said:

Our documenting system (SNAP) allows us to send an email easily, so we do.  Per our admin and health services, we send an email to every parent for every visit (except daily meds).  

 

I need to figure that out!  Hmmmm....

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
NutmeggeRN said:

I need to figure that out!  Hmmmm....

Do you use SNAP?

I can try to help...

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