Older Littles

Specialties School

Published

So I've been at this for all of 3 wks. Some days are better than other, but that's any job. What I'm having a difficult time with right now is the bigger littles.

Give me a sick kid and I'll nurse away but the ones that aren't really sick throw me. We are benchmarking and I've have 3 so far today that come with tummy ache/vomiting? (Though they haven't vomited in clinic and otherwise seem fine, bored even:facepalm:)

How do you guys deal with these types of students? I let them rest, water, bathroom if needed. If they seem real stubborn I call parents. Most of the time they parents will tell me to send them back to class and I try but then I get the theatrics, tears, etc.

Totally at a loss. Feel like a pansy pushover.

(not wearing pink) :o

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Have them drink 16 ounces of room temp water, if they vomit within 10 minutes, they win the golden ticket, otherwise, back to class.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

Oh, and welcome to the awesome table.

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First of all, it's okay about the pink. Sit with the guys and I today.

Secondly, what MNX2 said.

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Therapeutically stale saltines can help too. If vomiting isn't witnessed, it didn't happen.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

For the really persistent ones. I even go into the whole production of, "you know what? adults come to work a lot of times when they don't feel the best. But, since it is our jobs, we need to try. Kids' jobs are to be in school. So, you go back to class, and see if lunch/snack/recess makes you feel better."

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i usually either give them a once over and my ruling and send them back or if they persist i may give the parent an FYI call but i make it clear to the student that they should in no way shape or form expect that the phone call should result in them going home and that if their parent decides to pick them up it's completely up to them. When I do make that call, I am crystal clear in stating that I am not requiring or requesting them to be picked up and that it's merely an FYI call so they can check them out later. I'd say about 15% may come to pick their snowflakes up.

If i get no answer of leave a message, it becomes a dropped issue.

I also use Mr Nurse's technique and find that granting "permission to poop" by sending them into my bathroom and telling them to try is highly effective.

But... you've only been there 3 wks. Regardless of any past experience, you're still fresh meat to them. They're going to ride you for a bit. The teachers aren't going to set limits for a bit. Hang on... it does get better.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Welcome! and all of the above. Have them rest in the clinic for 10-15 minutes, if no vomiting occurs, send them back to class.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Hey Flare- I love your signature quote.

Yes, I just noticed it (I'm a little slow) I had to chuckle when this thought occurred to me. "Why be afraid to go out on a limb? THAT'S WHERE THE NUTS ARE!! :). Somedays, We are ALLLLLL out on a limb!! :yes: :woot:

Ok. Back to the OP. I don't want to hijack it. But, thought we could stand just a little mid wed. morning chuckle.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

Also, if they have already had recess/P.E. for the day. I ask them what they did at those times.--

** If they played, "back to class you go. If you could play at recess. You can be in class." ** If they didn't play at recess, that tells me to give them a little more time and assessment.

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Specializes in School nursing.

All the above. I have the only private restroom, its magical power is that apparently it is the only place a MS/HS kid will poop!

I also stock peppermint lifesavers. Peppermint does help, but really when I let the MS kids take a peppermint (limit: 1), their eyes light up and when my firm "Now go back to class" follows, out they go.

When I have a repeat offender (visits 2-3+, where every period they ask a new teacher for a pass) with no vomiting and/or other physical symptoms (happens a lot in the first couple of months with my 7th graders), I tell the student I am calling home for a "check in." I talk to the parent first, letting them know that medically their child is fine to remain in school and does not need a pick up. Then I let the kid check in. 9/10 the kid gets a brief moment of reassurance, a parent "buck up" to go with my fine "you can go back to class and push through." Parent also know now their kid is a frequent flier. 1/10 the parent will decide to pick up the kid. ::Shrugs:: I can't change those parents' minds.

But I can tell kiddos this the next time it happens: "last time I called home and you got a break. Today we are going to try, even if you don't feel your best." If I meet a kid's eye with a firm smile, they usually get that I'm not calling home this time unless I see vomit.

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I know I kind of wanna throw that speech out too but I'm just afraid I'll get a mad parent call/complaint the next day about how I didn't allow student to call parent or didn't hear out their complaints "They could've been VERY ill" etc.

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