Parent wants to stay all day

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics; School Nurse.

What would your response be to a parent who wants to stay at school all day to provide their child's diabetes management care? Based on some of the threads I've read, I anticipate that some school nurses would be grateful for the extra assistance, but I'm thinking in terms of a small school with no physical place for the parent to be... not the health office, not the lobby, not the classroom, not in the hallway.

For the sake of not spiraling into if-this and if-thats, I'll offer what I can think of... this is a 10 year old student is reported to be age-appropriately educated about her diabetes care, well controlled, has a pump, soon to be getting a glucose monitor, is able to self check blood sugar and will need supervision counting carbs. Finances are not an obstacle. Parents are well educated, in general and in the realm of diabetes. Home is 5-10 minutes from school but parent requests to stay in the building all day to provide care at a moments notice.

Private school. 1 nurse. 1000+ students and faculty. Several buildings on small campus where nurse might have to tend to accident or injury or other job requirements. Parent seems very hesitant to coordinate care with school, won't allow school nurse or staff to consult with MD or be a part of child's decision making team.

At current school, mom enters classroom q2, assists with BG check/snack/insulin etc.

I realize there are about a million factors that could sway your answers, but simply based on the above description, please advise.

Thanks, in advance.

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I'll keep you in my prayers!

12
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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Does current school not have a nurse? What the heck does she do there all day when she's not popping into her child's classroom?

You're going to need admin to put their foot down on this one.

This mother is doing her daughter a HUGE disservice by not allowing her to start to become somewhat independent with her diabetes management. I would have a sit down with her and admin and outline how it will be handled differently at your school.

16
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Specializes in kids.

Good Grief!!! and what about the confidentiality of all the other kids?

8
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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Yes! the confidentially to the other kids would be my primary concern. I get the fact that a parent may occasionally need to pop into our offices for this or that, but to practically set up shop - no. What happens when momma bear is camped out and you screen a kid for lice and then it ends up being the buzz of Sacred Heart Prep or winds up on Moms of Longwood facebook page? I am sure it's appreciated that mom is close by and if there are any issues you can certainly call her and she can hop off her Peloton and swing over, but until then, she needs to foster some independence in her 10 year old and give her some space.

19
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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

My thoughts: If everything fails, I'd allow this in the clinic BUT the parent may not stay in the clinic. Because...the kid is 10. If the kid was 14 I would feel differently. I'd also work it out that the parent may not stay on campus. And definitely parent may not enter classroom. I will also pray for you.

2
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Here is my 2 cents!! Parents have excluded nurse from any decision making and won't share information. Then, it is not the nurse's rodeo at all.

Therefore, it is up to the parents and administration to come up with a plan and FIND A space that does not intrude on the nurse's office which is a private area. Also, parents entering the classroom during instruction time seems like a huge distraction.

If they allow this, wow - welcome to the slippery slope.

Why doesn't this parent just home school if they are that big of a micro- manager???

Please update us on how this turns out!!!!

26
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Specializes in Pediatrics; School Nurse.

Thank you all for validating my instincts on this situation.

I do have the support of my administrators, and have voiced my concerns about privacy, micromanagement, and being excluded from care decisions. I was told that the parent made accusations of discrimination (d/t diabetes) early in the application process. My feeling is that it has become a crusade for the parent to make sure the child is not discriminated against and, therefore, the reason they don't homeschool.

I am hoping that the parent is oblivious to the idea that their behavior is the roadblock, NOT the child's health. Surely they aren't being intentionally problematic or malicious.

I'll keep you posted.

1
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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
13 minutes ago, NurseInTheHall said:

I am hoping that the parent is oblivious to the idea that their behavior is the roadblock, NOT the child's health. Surely they aren't being intentionally problematic or malicious.

Oooohhh... you're much kinder than I am. Odds are that the parent is not oblivious and that there is gain to the parent. Or the parent has such a high locus of control that s/he won't be satisfied with anything but personal management. Long road to hoe here.

5
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Specializes in Pediatrics; School Nurse.
Just now, ruby_jane said:

Oooohhh... you're much kinder than I am. Odds are that the parent is not oblivious and that there is gain to the parent. Or the parent has such a high locus of control that s/he won't be satisfied with anything but personal management. Long road to hoe here.

haha... in writing, anyway. ? It took a lot for me to even put all this out there for fear of it being used against me. Based on the replies, I think this school nursing tribe is pretty skilled at reading between the lines. ?

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Odds are, at least one of us has:

1. Been there.

2. Done that.

3. Seen it.

4. Bought the t-shirt.

This is why it's the best corner of AN.

14
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Specializes in School Nurse.

Similar situation:

Student broke femur and cast removed yesterday. This LD has been in a wheelchair at school while casted, fine.

We have dealt with elevator issues, field trip and my services since the only ramp (not in bus lane of 100 yo school) is through the custodial office so I am the exit at the end of the day person, regardless of what is going on in my office.

Mom notifies that LD will be in wheelchair until strong enough to handle crutches. (LD has elevator/leave early pass with buddy assistance)

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