Parents, parents, parents.

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Nov 26, 2018

usually the words "CPS" and "medical neglect" work. I don't like to use those unless it's desperate. I have found "I will need to call EMS and you can meet them at the hospital" works pretty well.

LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN · Nov 26, 2018

In addition to the above comment, if it's due to exclusion symptoms, I've sometimes said, "I'll have to discuss with (principal name) if not picked up due to the building policy on exclusion." So far I have only had to chat once and the principal called and requested pick up and something to arranged pretty quick.

Farawyn · Nov 26, 2018

While I love Bunny's tough tactics, I'm siding more with LTDS.

AdobeRN · Nov 26, 2018

I have the principal or AP call - the few times I have had to this it was amazing how fast someone was here to pick them up.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2018

I need clarification - is the parent declining to pick up a kid who has an excludable condition?

Or is the parent declining to pick up a kid who's spiraling down, who has an intractable headache or terrible menstrual cramps, but who doesn't meet exclusion conditions?

If it's the former, get the principal involved, and previous posters have given you beautiful language to use.

If it's the latter - they can refuse and there's not much you can do. Invoke CPS only in matters of abuse or neglect.

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2018

I need clarification - is the parent declining to pick up a kid who has an excludable condition?
Or is the parent declining to pick up a kid who's spiraling down, who has an intractable headache or terrible menstrual cramps, but who doesn't meet exclusion conditions?
If it's the former, get the principal involved, and previous posters have given you beautiful language to use.
If it's the latter - they can refuse and there's not much you can do. Invoke CPS only in matters of abuse or neglect.

Also for the latter (especially if I suspect school avoidance), I let the parent know that the student is stating they are too ill to stay at school and would they like to talk to LD about this, because they can't stay in my office all day. I then hand the phone over to the kid and while they usually do their best to "sound sick", the parent usually ends up agreeing (pushovers) or the kid hangs up and says they'll go back to class...

OldDude · Nov 26, 2018

What do you mean by "refuses?" Do they flat out tell you they are not coming to pick them up or say they don't have a way to come pick them up, or do they say they are and not show up?

grammy1 · Nov 26, 2018

I found that if I would tell them that I'll contact the social worker and see if she can make any arrangements, they usually manage to get there. They automatically associate social worker with cps, so that gets them moving. If a parent truly does not have transportation, has an illness, etc., our social worker will really try to transport the child home. She knows the families pretty well and knows who is capable and who is slacking.

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Nov 27, 2018

They flat out say they are not coming to pick up the child.

A smaller amount of background would be the high schooler coming in for the same symptoms 3 days out of a short 4 day week. Parent has not taken them to the doctor but is aware. Can never get a hold of the parent and when you do, well they aren't happy.

SaltineQueen · Nov 27, 2018

They flat out say they are not coming to pick up the child.
A smaller amount of background would be the high schooler coming in for the same symptoms 3 days out of a short 4 day week. Parent has not taken them to the doctor but is aware. Can never get a hold of the parent and when you do, well they aren't happy.

Are their symptoms excludable or do you just feel the student would benefit from being home to rest or needs to go to the doctor?

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2018

They flat out say they are not coming to pick up the child.
A smaller amount of background would be the high schooler coming in for the same symptoms 3 days out of a short 4 day week. Parent has not taken them to the doctor but is aware. Can never get a hold of the parent and when you do, well they aren't happy.

If it's not an excludable condition, I don't see there's much you can do. We cannot care more than that parent. It's tough - especially since we know when a kid probably needs more of an assessment than we can provide. Have you gotten your administration involved?