So I've been told I need to call parents FOR EVERYTHING. So because of this, I call all parents, but majority of our students are Hispanic, and some do not know English. I'm Hispanic, born in Texas, so I know Spanish and can speak and translate easily, but here's the problem.
I call or leave a message, "Hello, This is Ms. Amethya, the medical aide here in [Name of school]. I'm calling because of your son/daughter, [Name of child]. They came to my office because of a complaint of a sore throat. I checked their throat, it was slightly red, but no signs of white spots or anything. They have NO fever, 98.7. I was just calling to let you know they came to my office and what they were in for. I told them to go back to class, and if they feel worse to come back. If they do come back, I'll call you back, but as of now, they are fine. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call me back at [school number]. Thank you and have a great day!"
I translate this in Spanish and even the parents answer and say they understood me, and I tell them this, but still I get them to come to the school asking about their children, even after plainly told them that their child is fine, they don't need to go home.
I'm not sure if I'm saying it wrong or something, but this happens on occasions. Is there another way to tell them everything is fine, this is just a courtesy call for them to know why their child came?
My computer documentation system also allows me to forward my documentation to the parent via email. So I generally add a little note to the parent at the bottom of my documentation and forward it on to them. My parents generally love this system and they can respond if needed with questions or concerns. It has worked really well. I do call for major issues, though, like concussions, fractures, and other emergencies.
The language barrier on phone calls has gotten me in trouble once before. I have a Vietnamese family whose oldest daughter got sick at school one day. They seemed to understand when I called but then came in to the front desk and pick up their younger daughter and took her home! All of this was done at the front desk without my knowledge and I'm sitting in the clinic wondering when on earth they're going to show up to get this poor sick girl!
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
The only reason they tell me to call for EVERYTHING is because I had some parents complain about me because I failed to call them about their child about something, which aggravates me because I did call and left a voicemail, but they never answered. It's just annoying, and I'm only calling for severe things, not cuts or band-aids, but last time I did that a mom complained about me because "What if my kid was allergic to neosporin!?" "Are they?" "No! But I would like you call me if you are going to put something on my child!" So now I have to call FOR EVERYTHING, which is stupid in my opinion. But now I feel that everything I do is wrong and I'm questioning my decisions on things.
The only reason they tell me to call for EVERYTHING is because I had some parents complain about me because I failed to call them about their child about something, which aggravates me because I did call and left a voicemail, but they never answered. It's just annoying, and I'm only calling for severe things, not cuts or band-aids, but last time I did that a mom complained about me because "What if my kid was allergic to neosporin!?" "Are they?" "No! But I would like you call me if you are going to put something on my child!" So now I have to call FOR EVERYTHING, which is stupid in my opinion. But now I feel that everything I do is wrong and I'm questioning my decisions on things.
Don't let the crazies get you down! No matter what you do, there will be those who question you. As long as you do what's best for your students that's all that matters.
NanaPoo
762 Posts
My computer documentation system also allows me to forward my documentation to the parent via email. So I generally add a little note to the parent at the bottom of my documentation and forward it on to them. My parents generally love this system and they can respond if needed with questions or concerns. It has worked really well. I do call for major issues, though, like concussions, fractures, and other emergencies.
The language barrier on phone calls has gotten me in trouble once before. I have a Vietnamese family whose oldest daughter got sick at school one day. They seemed to understand when I called but then came in to the front desk and pick up their younger daughter and took her home! All of this was done at the front desk without my knowledge and I'm sitting in the clinic wondering when on earth they're going to show up to get this poor sick girl!