public school systems

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

I dont agree. I dont expect people to even understand my view or the principle. My childs medical records are no ones business. Clearly if I dont want to offer up the information then she is obviously healthy and thats all the school needs.

But that's the thing. The school doesn't request "child's medical records." They request a health history provided by you, the parent; in your case if the child is healthy there's no info to provide. Just a bunch of "N/A's" to the questions about chronic conditions, meds, allergies, etc.

If you object that strongly to stating whether or not your child has had the mandated vaccines, providing proof if she has, or signing the exemption form if she has not, then you have the option to homeschool and not deal with public school mandates...where your child is part of the public.

But if you are a practicing RN/LPN, a CNA, and/or a nursing student (which would be a fair assumption, given that you are posting on AN) how is this different than your employer requiring proof that you have had the flu vax if you want to work? How is this different than your nursing school requiring proof of most of the vaccines required by public elementary/secondary schools? Heck for my RN-BSN public health practicum semester I couldn't even get a medical exemption for the varicella and MMR vax's b/c I was pregnant...I had to wait a year until I was medically able to get the shots before the school would allow me into the public w/ their program.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

OP, you can choose to share as much or as little about your children's health status as you want, knowing that it may affect their care or emergencies.

For example, I selectively vaccinate my children, and file a letter every school year stating that I am taking the exemption, and I am aware that in the event of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable illness, my children may have to stay home from school. I do not list the vaccines I've chosen for them to get or eschew, because I feel those details are really only the business of us and our pediatrician's office, not the school. But I make that choice, knowing full well that if there is an outbreak of measles, I will then need to come up with documentation that my children have indeed received the MMR vaccines, or I will have to keep them at home until the outbreak is controlled.

So yeah, if you don't want to share your children's medical history with their schools, you are free not to. But you also must accept the consequences of that choice.

As far as HIPAA goes - the schools cannot obtain medical records or information about your children directly from their care provider without your written consent. If you consent, or give that information directly, then there is no violation of privacy law.

fetch, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

Some of the information being provided here must be taken with a grain of salt - there are variances in each school district, state, and country. In my district, for example, you must submit the vaccination records or a notorized affidavit stating your objection to vaccines. (The school secretaries are notories, so this is often easier than getting the shot record!) In my state, you must submit a physical at the start of the first year of public school (usually kindergarten) that has information such as height, weight, hearing screening, vision screening, etc. That's it.

And yes, frequently parents will send in the annual health info sheet totally blank, with no information on it (this is just a card with spots for asthma, diabetes, etc). That's fine. But it means that if the child has a health problem that we aren't made aware of, consequences can be dire, and that's on YOU the parent. The nurse isn't asking out of prurient curiosity - she wants to protect your child, and all the other children at the school as well.

And if you have a problem with that, then seriously. Homeschool.

ktwlpn, LPN · Oct 14, 2014

I think it's one of my sister- in- laws!! :yes:

mc3, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2014

If you feel this strongly about it, you are welcome to pull your kids out of public school and home-school them. And when and where, exactly, was the herd immunity theory "debunked"? That's news to me. "Debunked" how? Can you provide some documentation of this (other than from a crackpot anti-vax conspiracy theory website)?
And I would certainly not make the assumption that a refusal by a parent to provide health information "obviously" means that the child is healthy. In fact, that refusal would be a big red flag for me that there may be something going on that the school needs to know about. But, hey, that's just me ...

Yes, that ^^^^!

mc3:yes:

lalonzo27 · Sep 26, 2016

I don't agree with vaccines and no virus is curable. Viruses clearly mutate. There's no point in vaccines. Nothing was irradicated and diseases that seemed to disappear, only did bc of sanitation and infection control. I'm an LPN and I've never had to get a flu shot. I went to my clinicals and never had my paperwork signed for flu vax. I trust that God will provide protection from the things we as a country are trying to prevent with vaccines. Yes my kids see a doctor and I do to. Yes we accept certain medications or abt. But I will not accept an injection of various chemicals and adjuncts into my blood stream where it is absorbed 100%. Your body makes aluminum says the doctor, but it's the amount just right. Adding even a minute amount can change things. As far as autism, who the hell really knows? There isn't enough science on it. I don't know and therefor do not blame vaccines for autism. I also am not silly enough to believe it isn't possible for vaccines to play a role. My mind won't change. The people who question and want evidence of thorough double blind studies are the ones who are fear mongering. While the ones who follow without proof of the so called science from the sources they approve of, couldn't be wrong at all. It can only be certain sources though. Any other source is a so called quack. Only a quack if they are anti vax or even offer correlations of vaccine injuries. It comes down to people aren't thinking for themselves anymore. People stopped questioning. Just accept what your told and what paid scientists agree on. As a nurse I refuse to give certain injections. I will ask a colleague to do it since I'm in full disagreement of the adjuncts and preservatives. Oral meds aren't absorbed 100% and can be expelled so I will give oral meds. I have no interest in working in a school or a hospital. I never give my opinion on vaccines to my patients I tell them to talk to their doctor. I don't think it's my place to persuade one way or the other. I don't believe in the hype of vaccines saves lives. My colleagues are aware and don't agree with me but they also know I'm competent and well liked by my patients.

lalonzo27 · Sep 26, 2016

I still don't see it right for a school to require medical records. If my child is in danger bc of a medical condition then I will offer that info. Their shots or physical isn't the schools business. My kids are healthy. It should be parental choice. I'm not a fan of being forced into things. There is no greater good when My top top priority is for my children. My children don't need an extra advocate. They have a large loving family. The school doesn't need to be involved in our medical records. Pro vaxxers would rather see happy well rounded loved children taken from their parents then to see them un vaccinated. That is the world today.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 26, 2016

Am I the only person that finds it odd that she came back after 2 years specifically to revive this dead thread?

elkpark · Sep 26, 2016

Am I the only person that finds it odd that she came back after 2 years specifically to revive this dead thread?

No, you're not.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 26, 2016

Am I the only person that finds it odd that she came back after 2 years specifically to revive this dead thread?

Nope and the answer is still the same if you don't like public policy then homeschool or send your kids to private school. Case closed. Good luck using G-d as your antiviral anti vaccination protocol. I hope you stay healthy.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Sep 27, 2016

I agree with other posters, simply put, in my state it is required by law that you provide an immunization certificate (completed by a doctors office or health dept.) or an exemption letter or your child cannot attend school. It is for the safety of your child and others.

As far as the vision and dental, your child is in school 7 hours a day, doing a lot of reading. It is important to know if they have any visual defects or maybe the doctor rx'd glasses but the child never wears them, it is something that would need to be looked into further.

Dental: many kids have poor dental health, greatly affecting their ability to concentrate. Knowing their status helps the educators know why a particular student may be having trouble.

I sure you would be honest if your child had a medical issue, but MANY parents would (and are) not.

FWIW: I feel sending home lice letters is a breech of confidentiality as well, which is why I don't send them out in my school.

AliNajaCat · Sep 27, 2016

Competent, maybe; and well-liked by your patients, fine and dandy; and a little shaky on the scientific method and incoherent, for sure. Or perhaps just pot-stirring to get up clicks. Whatevs.