DEgalRN

You're fine! You also have to remember you're in a school. There are going to be times that you may need to call even if they're not "emergencies" simply because you don't have the ability to handle the symptoms or the liability is too great. To answer your question, I've probably called an ambulance 10-15 times in the past 2 years? I had a kid with cardiac issues, with no emergency plan in place, despite me pleading with his mother, so he was probably 5-7 of the calls last year (sorry mom, your kid has known cardiac issues, and is c/o chest pain and difficulty breathing, I don't have an EEG or the ability to draw labs). Plus I've had intractable abdominal pain, one attempted suicide, an overdose, epipen use, uncontrolled asthma attack (that's how I got my inhaler for the girl!), and a handful of other situations.

I'm not sure I would have done the same thing, but, I understand why you did, especially with the back story. I'm not allowed to leave campus, so I wouldn't have to worry about transporting a student at least! I had a student who admitted to leaving campus and coming back though, and I did let administrators know even know I really didn't want to knowing her and her story, too. Anything that has the potential for harm to a student goes through administrators either for advisement or decision making. Working in a small school, I think that's easier, but honestly, I also feel safer doing that too.

I would not have called. She didn't come back after you advised her to if the pain continued, and her initial exam did not show anything out of the ordinary. Let dad whine a little, but you didn't do anything wrong, and you are the nurse and the one with the education!

Oh, boo. That sucks! Luckily I haven't run into the problem with them doing anything weird with the ice packs. I definitely see my share of kids doing dumb things to try and get to the nurse, but I haven't heard of anything being done with the ice packs (and I know my teachers would be the first to let me know!).

I use a little 3oz cup and do one of rubbing alcohol and 2 of water.

the person who told me about alcohol/water in a zip lock bag for ice packs. (Did you like my click bait! :)) I'm almost certain it was someone on this board! At the beginning of the year I splurge on my budget a little and get reusable ones, but by this time in the school year they've all mysteriously disappeared. The rubbing alcohol and water "ice packs" are my go-to, and they're perfect!

I'm so sorry. Many good thoughts to you and her family.

Kid comes in because he bite his cheek and there was a "bit of flesh hanging off" that he didn't like. (PS, no I didn't see this mysterious flesh.) Was actually very much in disbelief that I couldn't clip it and wouldn't let him use my dirty scissors to do it himself! But, have some mouthwash. C'MON, MAN!

I'm on the teacher's contact. So I do get yearly raises. A year or two before I started they took a pay cut, but that's not likely to happen again, at least this year!

I'm so sorry. ::hugs::

I'm so sorry. ::many hugs:: Take care of yourself during this time.

Yeah, pretty much this. Being "unmanageable" while unmedicated, is no different from being "unmanageable" with no prescribed meds. Class management, not medical!

Ill students are generally kept in my office until a ride arrives. Occasionally I will have a student wait in class, but I let the main office know when I do that. So, usually the office will call me when a parent comes and if I let them know that I haven't seem them, last year, they would give them a detention because our school does not allow cell phone use at all. I'm not sure that they're doing anything this year. I was up annoyed last year, but this year, I'm much more, que sera, sera about it.

I'm sorry that you had a rough day. When everything just piles on, it can feel overwhelming. And I'll be honest, I'm livid on your behalf about the losing your pumping session! It's one thing to have a medical emergency where you can't pump. But babysitting? Uh no, not gonna fly. There needs to be something in place so if that happens again, there is backup for that 20-30 minutes. And why are you pumping in a closet?!? Can we get you a nice space to pump? I agree though, don't put too much stock in a game of telephone. Who knows what kind of day either one of those teachers was having. Unless it impacts you somehow (like, you get reported for, I don't know, having to do nursing things so slightly inconveniencing a teacher who needs to learn to suck it up?), try and forget it. Many, many hugs!

I'm super excited about some snow days this week! :) We've only had one so far. And I want to take my 3 year old sledding! I can totally see why, with as many as you've had, that you wouldn't want to extend even more! May your roads be plowed quickly, and your temperatures stay above freezing! lol

I love testing weeks! Unless they're dying, they don't get out of the classroom.

By the time the kids go through 4 years with me they will know acetaminophen is Tylenol and ibuprofen is Advil! I don't care if they learn anything else in their high school careers! lol

2nd floor, corner of the school, above the gym. Second floor is not the most convenient, but I have a bathroom attached, so I think that's why I got this room. I don't mind being further from the main office, but I'd prefer to be on the first floor. I'm relatively close to our therapist which is important since I handle a lot of the mental health issues when he's not here.

I get the, "are you going home?" question whenever I look a little under the weather, but that's probably because there's the mythical chance that the school will close early if they can't get a sub... lol I try not to take off unless I really have to because my school is required to have nurse on site and because it really is a hardship both to get a sub and to pay for a sub (yes, I know it's not my problem, but I still try to be considerate with my illnesses. :)). I've never been guilted or told I couldn't be sick, but I've certainly never been encouraged to take time off either. You are lucky! :)

At least they admit that it's the same thing, if only generic. This kid would not believe me that Motrin and Ibuprofen were the same thing!

I only take Motrin. Sorry kid, I only have ibuprofen.

It took me having to call off last year and the school CLOSING (long story, but they ended up with an early dismissal because they could not find a sub) for my admins to get hooked up with an agency in addition to the locals they call first. I try very hard not to call off and try very hard to give as much notice as possible because I do recognize it's a hardship for them, but my health is also important. I agree, it might be time to put them in a lurch (because my hill to die on is that it is not your or my responsibility to find coverage, that's what HR is for!). What good does it do if you end up passing along a stomach bug to the students? I hope you feel better quickly, though! :)

Our counselor is only here 3 days a week. I handle the other 2 days, plus his overflow. I also handle our website. And I've also handled some admin things, like waiting with disciple issues while other parties are handled. Small school = lots of multitasking.

Teenager: The sports director wants me to ask you if I can play basketball with a fractured finger. Me: No. Teen: What if I tape it? Me: No Teen: What if I use A LOT of tape. Me: No. Teen: What if the athletic trainer says OK... Me: ::stares:: Teen: He's going to say no, isn't he? Me: Yeah. If, you want to ask your doctor, and your doctor OKs it, then you can play. C'mon now! You fractured it YESTERDAY! Let the poor finger heal!

April 14th - 21st. March is going to be terrible... no days off. So sad!