Policing Parents and illness

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How do you all handle kids that come down after they told their teacher they "threw up last night?" The teachers constantly send me these kids. I know they want me to call the parents and send the kid home.

I could spend my whole morning policing parents and "vomit."

On the occasions that I do call, the parent almost always denies it or says it was jut a little phlegm.

New Kindergarten teacher and scared to death of germs and illnesses. I think she would wear a hazmat suit if she could get away with it.

Does she know she picked the wrong career if she doesn't think she'll get germs from the kids????

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Even if a kid did vomit the night before, what does it matter?? I vomited all the time as a kid and it didn't mean anything...some kids just have a weak stomach.

Maybe the teachers need a college course on germs and childhood illnesses ☺

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Specializes in School nursing.

If a kid tells me they vomited before school or the night before, sometimes I say "Why are you here?" If they look fine, they usually tell me that mom/dad said they were good to come to school and I nod my head with a "Mom/Dad sounds like a smart person."

Now, if they tell me that, plus they are very pale and look like they are about to puke again...different story (esp. I had one of those last week. Kid tells me that he threw up 3 times the night before and 2 times this morning, looked terrible, but parent sent him telling the kid that he just had to "push through it." :banghead:

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Our issue is, the teachers know we have a '24 hour" policy and demand that the kids go home if it is accurate that they vomited during the night or in the AM.

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Does she know she picked the wrong career if she doesn't think she'll get germs from the kids????

Ahhh Yes.....The principal even told her....This is a public school and its going to have germs. I just want to also add that my situation is a little different regarding the issue of this post. I have one specific teacher sending me 7 students at a time on Monday mornings due to vomiting. This is why I don't make calls to parents regarding vomiting....based on the situation. If a teacher sent me down a student with this concern, I would always assess the student and call based on what I see in front of me. Every situation is different, you will know if there is a need to call or not. Your assessment will tell all.

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I'm dealing with this issue today - only from the parent side of it.

My little one vomited twice last night so I kept her home today just in case (she's totally fine, but I believe it's better to miss a day instead of infect an entire 1st grade class with a stomach bug), but I've got the nurse and the teacher getting crappy with me for keeping her home.

So... you send her home when she has snot, but get mad that I keep her home for vomit? :banghead:

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
Our issue is, the teachers know we have a '24 hour" policy and demand that the kids go home if it is accurate that they vomited during the night or in the AM.

This is the exact reason that we changed the wording to say "if a student vomits more than 2 times in 24 hours, they may be sent home) Allows for a little wobble room and assessment. Wow... If looks could kill, I would have been dead, from all the looks from the teachers that I got when I kindly and matter of factly explained this change at the beginning of school teacher inservices. :cheeky:

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Even if a kid did vomit the night before, what does it matter?? I vomited all the time as a kid and it didn't mean anything...some kids just have a weak stomach.

Maybe the teachers need a college course on germs and childhood illnesses ☺

I used to be a teacher before becoming a nurse and the lack of information taught in Schools of Education regarding germs and childhood illnesses is scary!! They (the District, Dept of Ed. Dept of Health, CDC) should make teachers learn certain things and refresh them every year. Of course, they would earn their professional development credits.

I didn't know what I didn't know (until I took science/RN courses) and neither do your teachers!!

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I'm dealing with this issue today - only from the parent side of it.

My little one vomited twice last night so I kept her home today just in case (she's totally fine, but I believe it's better to miss a day instead of infect an entire 1st grade class with a stomach bug), but I've got the nurse and the teacher getting crappy with me for keeping her home.

So... you send her home when she has snot, but get mad that I keep her home for vomit? :banghead:

In first grade? Seriously?!

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
I'm dealing with this issue today - only from the parent side of it.

My little one vomited twice last night so I kept her home today just in case (she's totally fine, but I believe it's better to miss a day instead of infect an entire 1st grade class with a stomach bug), but I've got the nurse and the teacher getting crappy with me for keeping her home.

So... you send her home when she has snot, but get mad that I keep her home for vomit? :banghead:

We deal with all types of parents and situations. This is what keeps our jobs interesting and make sure we keep on keeping on and doing out best. Keeping the students best interest and education at the forefront.

I hope your little one is feeling better.

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I got a very alarmed teacher today at 9am.

Teacher: "A is in school today."

Me: "Okay?"

Teacher: "She threw up yesterday."

Me. "yes."

Teacher: "But doesn't she have to be home for 24 hours?"

Me: "It's been 24 hours."

Teacher: "I don't understand."

Me: "She threw up a little bit yesterday at 9am. It's now 9am today."

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I personally do not like the 24 hour rule.

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