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.
All excellent advice. I'll add the special twist in your situation is "Private School" where administration has a lot more flexibility to be the chameleon needed for the situation...know what I mean? Good Luck!!
I've been through a similar situation. My experience was that once the parents were confident with my ability to care for their child, they went from that same type of need for total and absolute control during the school day, after school-sports/dances and field trips - to almost non-existent this year.
I've been through a similar situation. My experience was that once the parents were confident with my ability to care for their child, they went from that same type of need for total and absolute control during the school day, after school-sports/dances and field trips - to almost non-existent this year.
One time had a very immature 3rd grader diagnosed mid-year. Mom announced her plan to spend the first month with him at school. It took her 2 days to see that we had it. Communication, education and reassurance were the keys. Every situations is different, however.
Give her a badge that reads: RN assistant but let her know that it is a volunteer position and she will he helping you with the 1000 students as well as her own child. If she doesn't agree, than let her know that she can't help just her child. It's kind of like the, if a child brings candy for one student, they must bring candy for all the kids in the class.
Give her a badge that reads: RN assistant but let her know that it is a volunteer position and she will he helping you with the 1000 students as well as her own child. If she doesn't agree, than let her know that she can't help just her child. It's kind of like the, if a child brings candy for one student, they must bring candy for all the kids in the class.
?♂️ Haha! Nope Nope Nope - I'm pretty sure that offer would be accepted! On the spot. Without hesitation. Not opening that door. ?♀️
Seen this scenario, Public Elementary school, recent dx. Family moved to district and mom scored a full time sub TA gig. Mom is in the building and available by text all the time. She isn't doing care and can't, but she's super available if you need her. Good news is that she's super committed to getting student independent (enough) by 7th grade. She's on a pump and a glucose monitor,(this reports to Mom's cell and to Ipad in nurses office) she's a little brittle.
I have no idea WOW! the district would have done without the full time sub TA position being open though.
Hi there, not a school nurse but a T1D of 15 years and have provided care for many T1 kiddos over the years. I’m hoping things will change once she gets on the glucose monitor. Mom will be able to see what her sugar is 24/7 from her phone and text or call you and instruct you what to do (correction, temporary basal, snack, ect.) if she wants to have the control. Open communication and mom understanding that she can use you as a vessel to do what she wants done is probably the best way to get through this.
I've been through a similar situation. My experience was that once the parents were confident with my ability to care for their child, they went from that same type of need for total and absolute control during the school day, after school-sports/dances and field trips - to almost non-existent this year.
Same kind of thing happened here. Kindergarten, newly diagnosed male. Mom came to school every day for a couple of years but we put her to work as a teacher's aide. First in her son's classroom and then as she became more confident in our ability to care for the child, she worked in another teacher's room as an aide but would come back to care for her child's insulin needs, his carb counting at lunch, his insulin then, etc.
Finally, she stopped coming to school at all.
It took some time for her to feel confident as it was a scary time for her and her husband when their son was diagnosed.
OldDude
1 Article; 4,787 Posts
All excellent advice. I'll add the special twist in your situation is "Private School" where administration has a lot more flexibility to be the chameleon needed for the situation...know what I mean? Good Luck!!