Nurse against Nurse false accusation

[guest83140]

A student was caught texting on her cellphone in 2nd period ( around 9:00). The teacher took up the cellphone and asked who she was calling and then offered his classroom phone. She wanted to call her mother, she felt ill. After hanging up the phone, the teacher asked if she needed to se the nurse. The student said no because my mom is on the way to get her and she wants to wait in the front office. In the office she told the secretary mom is coming because she doesn't feel well. After sitting for about 30 minutes and with the start of 3rd period, the secretary says she looks fine and that she could go to 3rd period to wait for mom. In 3rd period the student texts mom again on cellphone and around 10:10 the mom calls the clinic angry and hot and yelling for us to go check her daughter for chest pain. We go to the choir room where she is standing near a desk wall writing classwork. I rush in and ask who the sick student is . The student had not said anything to choir teacher who was standing in the middle of the room surrounded by several students. She was not in any distress and we walked her to the clinic, which is only a few steps away. I assessed her, she has pinpoint chest pain underneath her left breast, doesn't look to be in any distress, has no sob, all vitals signs are good and she has no other complaints. We called the mom and gave her our assess. Mom states she is a pediatric nurse and asks me over and over what my professional assess is. I tell her again that the vitals are good, the student has no sob and no distress is noted. She says I just want to know the facts, I don't need any attitude just facts. Mom comes at 10:30 and picks up her daughter. I go to the front office to tell her the vitals signs and she's balling out the front office clerks. She then turns her attention on me. She says,"and you call yourself a nurse". "I want a meeting with the principal and Supt. about how my child was treated. I don't want to hear anybody's side of the story right now because my child needs to be checked right now." Mom exits the door at 10:35 a.m. The next morning her daughter is at the school taking the TAKS test (state test) all day without problems. I call her in the clinic and she says tests are not back yet but says, "they think I have a large chest" (not sure what she means). Today, the prinicipal secretary informed me that the mother wants a meeting with the nurse and the principal this Friday at 8:00 a.m.. I told the secretary that I wanted the 2nd period teacher and the front office attend the meeting so they can tell their story because they saw the girl before I did. I saw the girl 20 minutes before mom decided to come get her. What can I do to get this nurse for making false accusations on clinic ? She was very unprofessional not hearing the events from the nurse. We have dealt with many distressed students over the years and this doesn't give us credit at all. In the past, the principal sides with the parent for PR's sake, he says. But I don't want to cut her any slack because she's loud, rude and arrogant.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

First of all, I hope your official documentation is better than the account you wrote here. No offense, but you need to take the time to write out the facts in a more understandable format, with paragraphs, proofreading, making good use of punctuation and so forth. It was hard to follow your story the way you wrote it here.

As far as the incident, the mother sounds like a typical 'difficult customer'. I'll bet irate parents are a handful and I sympathize with you there. I would imagine that the school officials are used to dealing with all sorts, and will have some tips.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

I agree. It was hard to follow, but she reminds me of my dh's ex wife - crazy!

Anne, RNC

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

glolily, please let us know how this turns out. sounds like a case of a mother with a problem !

[Aneroo, LPN]

I'd make sure the documentation rocks.

I agree with getting the others in the meeting as well.

I'd also request to meet with the principal first, give your side of the story without her interrupting. Show him the documentation.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

Like everyone said above DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. I know it's hard to deal with administration who will do anything to pacify parents. If admin doesn't give in to our parents, they go to the school board and then admin is in trouble, so in my district it is hard to get any backing. Just remain calm. professional and keep repeating the facts. I have also had parents call me because their child is "so sick" and wonder why I haven't called them only to find out they have been having a "text" conversation with the student all morning but I haven't seen them.

You did nothing wrong. You hadn't even seen the student. That is why we tell the kids at the assembly at the beginning and the middle of the year, "do not text your parent to take you home, go see the nurse and she will call." Again, with no consequences to the student by admin, this speech falls on deaf ears.

Do keep us updated.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

I'd make sure the documentation rocks.

I agree with getting the others in the meeting as well.

I'd also request to meet with the principal first, give your side of the story without her interrupting. Show him the documentation.

Definetly have a meeting with the principal alone first! That woman sounds like she could be a real ---- and you may not even get to voice your side before she goes off.

Anne, RNC

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Is there not a policy that students should not be allowed to call home for illness without being seen in the clinic first? If there is not, there should be one and you might have to draft it! The teacher should not have allowed her to call home before being assessed. Good luck!

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

We have a policy that students are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours. Without consequences, policies are useless. I have determined kids to be fit to go back to class, they walk out into the hall, text mom to tell her they are sooo sick and the next thing you know, mom is calling me from the front of the building to ask where Johnny is. The kid gets to go home, the absence is excused because mom called me and I look foolish.

[SchoolNurseBSN]

glolilly-

I understood your post just fine. Obviously, you came here to vent and not be judged on your writing skills! Let's support each other here!

I hope everything turns out well for you. This instance is another prime example of how we are not respected for the role we have at our school. It is hard to do your job when everybody else in the building thinks they are the nurse!

[guest83140]

Ok it's over. I was hoping she wouldn't show but she did. She brought her estranged husband. The principal's secretary was there at the beginning, I and the principal. She and husband thought teachers weren't attentive enough. She then accused the front clerk of being abrupt and short when she called the office and learnt the student was sent to 3rd period. She finally admitted the student should have spoken up, but quickly added that she was just a child (15 years old to be exact). The principal's secretary said we couldn't do anything if the student didn't tell anybody. She finally agreed. She then turned her attention to the clinic-20 min. before she arrived. She said she had had car trouble and that's why she hadn't arrived sooner. She said my clinic aide was rude and said, "What?" when she called to ask that her daughter be brought in and evaluated. The principal secretary sent for my aide and she watched the clinic. My aide explained she was trying to calm her down to find out who the student was and conveyed to me what was happening. My aide conversed back and forth explaining her compassion and concern. The nurse/parent said the aid was trying to make herself look good in front of the principal and that I was just taking up for my aide. But she would take this higher if need be to change things. This was her baby and all she had. My aide then apologized and said she was sorry if she was rude. She said she appreciated that but it could have been life or death for her daughter. The principal apologized over and over. She said she had to go to another doctor and the ecg showed a little abnormality but they are still running tests. The principal asked if she had anything else for my aide, she said no and the aide left. The principal then asked what concerns she had for me, the school nurse. She said that I didn't give her an accurate assessment and all I said was that the student was standing in class and looked fine. I said, I did tell you more than that, I told you no sob, no distress, vital signs good. She said, no you didn't say that at all. I said, I guess you don't remember since you were upset. She then ranted on about we wouldn't be having conferences with parents if I did what I am supposed to do. She said her daughter could have passed out and I would be saying everything was fine. I said no, I know what is an emergency and your daughter was not a 911 but warranted you to get her evaluated. The prinicpal interjected that we are setup for emergencies and havent had any probs before now. The nurse/parent stated we needed more education and an advocate for children. The principal said he was an advocate right up there almost to the parent level, and so was everyone else. The estranged husband stated that they were irrate but that this was part of how they felt and that everyone just needed to be aware of these situations. The meeting went from 1-2p.m. because the mom would always start right back up; like her child and maybe others were at risk of dying un-noticed at school in March, 7 months after school started. She tapered off saying she just wanted to be assured that her child is in capable hands. The principal reassured her. I then said that I've been a nurse over 23 years and have worked at Baylor hopsital and Methodist hospital each for 10 years as trauma and charge nurse and that I love children. She then asked looking at the principal, for a form to carry an inhaler around school. I said, I can get that for you. She followed me into the clinic, I gave it to her and said thank you, she said nothing. I really couldn't say what I wanted to say to her. My mind kicked back to the days of giving report and it heated me up to hear a nurse say later that you didn't mention something pertinent in report time. I guess nurse to parent I had an edge over them but nurse to nurse was really challenging and frustating since she had the upper hand-talking to me with an unmedical boss. When she left, the principal consoled I and my aid and said things were political now with parents trying to build up damaged relationships. He also said he believe in us since we hadn't had frequent complaints. I added that a policy should go out to teachers to not send ill students to the office without seeing the clinic. He agreed. How do I feel? Violated, angry, bitter but glad he did somewhat support the clinic better than the last time.

[SchoolNurseBSN]

All I can do is roll my eyes for yor right now. I think somebody needs to remove the stick from that parents ***!!! An angry parent is one thing....but come on, a parent who is also a nurse who treats you that way is just a........

Sorry - I hope next week is a better one for you!