Parent FYI Calls

[schoolnurse64]

Hi,

I'm a new school nurse and have so many questions. I've found a lot of answers reading older posts, so I figured I'd ask the rest of my questions since everyone seems so helpful :)

When should a parent be called? I've called parents for FYI stuff after sending kids back to class, but some parents get mad that I'm bothering them for what they think is nothing. Other parents get mad when I don't call. I don't really know the parents yet and who prefer whats....what should I do?

Also, when do you send a child home? I know the basics...fever, vomiting, diarrhea...is there any other time I should send a child home?

Also, any tips on how to treat minor ailments would also be appreciated. Seems to me, everything is treated with an ice pack or hot pack, but I'm wondering if there's anything more I should be doing.

Thanks for the help!

[fetch, BSN, RN]

She said the school nurse had asked the teachers to not send so many kids because they were going too frequently.

That's a case of the teacher needing to use some common sense, I think. Common sense would say to send kids with any obvious issues (such as swelling or bruising, new onset after the playground) and to NOT send the kids who have, for instance, a scratch so miniscule it can't be seen, or a stomach ache that's "AWFUL!" but magically goes away once they're on the playground.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Have any of you school nurses ever told a teacher to not send so many kids to the office? My son, who was in 5th grade at the time, jammed his finger playing dodgeball at recess. (Was trying to catch the ball and it hit straight on his finger instead). He asked the teacher if he could go to the nurse and she said no. When he got off the bus that afternoon, his finger was purple, swollen twice its normal size, and he couldn't bend it. I took him to the urgent care and it was x-rayed--not broken but dislocated. Doc reset it and he had to wear a splint on it for a week. I told my son that next time, he asks, asks a second time, and then walks out the door to the nurse and I'll deal with the teacher/principal/school board if necessary. The teacher just happened to call that evening to let us know he was doing great in school and I asked about the incident. She said if he'd asked her again then she'd let him go. I told her about our urgent care trip, the dislocation, and splint. She said the school nurse had asked the teachers to not send so many kids because they were going too frequently.

I have asked them to use discretion on occasion....but never "don't send them". Please don't paint the school nurse as wrong when the teacher could have and should have sent the kid regardless of any request.

Some times those requests come when a child is out of multiple classes over the course of the day or week, doing a lot of wandering, and missing out on valuable eduational time.

[T-Bird78]

I have asked them to use discretion on occasion....but never "don't send them". Please don't paint the school nurse as wrong when the teacher could have and should have sent the kid regardless of any request.

Some times those requests come when a child is out of multiple classes over the course of the day or week, doing a lot of wandering, and missing out on valuable eduational time.

I'm not blaming the school nurse, my gripe was with the teacher. I don't know if the teacher was trying to throw the school nurse under the bus by saying that or not. I was aggravated that she wouldn't let him go. I know some kids do take advantage of the system or try to get out of class, but when a 10-year-old AD/HD boy is asking during the middle of recess, you know he's not faking it!

[AussiePupOwner]

I've been at the same school for four years now, so I know who my "helicopter parents" are and which parents don't like to be called. Having said that, even if a parent doesn't like to be called - CYA. Sometimes I don't call, but send a clinic visit note home, especially for my kinder kiddos. I call for anything involving the face. If I think of anything else, I will let you know.

[aeris99]

Parents perspective here. I have 2 kids with ADHD and anxiety. Needless to say I'm on a first name basis with school staff.

Our school nurse will call if one of the boys is acting funky (med issues) or gets hurt. she leaves me a message as I'm in school and the first words out of her mouth are either it's not an emergency or call me

right back please.

I love her! She keeps me

informed without calling everyday and she touches base with me every few weeks.