Questions and Prayers!

Farawyn · Apr 12, 2015

The drug kid. So a physical assessment, look in his eyes, etc., TALK to him. Sometimes the kid just tells you. They can't be in school under the influence, so they have to go home.

I would call the AP and tell him of my findings. I share an office with my SW, so usually we try to talk to the kid. The AP calls the mom, they take the kid home, and if there is disciplinary stuff it goes from there.

The pregnant girl- I would refer to my more experienced nurses here, but I would think that I would probably call social work as well and the parent. I haven't had this issue yet, and I wasn't asked that.

Good luck!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2015

^ In some states it is illegal to tell the parent of a pregnant teenager that she is pregnant. There are laws in place to protect the teenagers.

If a teenager came in and said she's pregnant, I would ask "how can I help you?" She may not even know that she's pregnant for sure and need to take a pregnancy test. If she is, let her talk about it. I'd ask "have you told your parents?" or "do you need help telling your parents?" but in no way would I call the parents myself.

Drugs are a disciplinary/administration issue. I'd call whomever is charged with dealing with those issues.

ohiobobcat · Apr 13, 2015

High school nurse here. Both situations you are worried about have happened to me.

The drug kids, I assess, and as long as they are stable I get administration involved because it turns into a disciplinary issue at that point. If they are unstable, I call 911 or parent (whichever is appropriate) and still get administration involved.

The pregnant student- I don't have much to offer her other than education, support, and referrals. To be honest, the pregnant student I had last year dealt with guidance more than me. In my state (Maine), I would not call the parents. If an underage student is pregnant in my state, she can make her own healthcare decisions without parental input or consent. That particular student came back to school this year and will graduate this June!

I have 15 diabetic students on my campus. I am dealing with 2 students right know who have undiagnosed (work-ups in process) seizures on a weekly/biweekly basis. Anxiety and stress are huge issues in the high school population. I let students come in my office and "chill" for a bit sometimes. I keep coloring supplies on hand. I also have bubble wrap that I save from packaging that I let the kids play with. I deal with a lot of concussions and post concussive plans as well.

I love my students, even though they make me want to pull my hair out sometimes.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 13, 2015

A background in rehab will come in handy when you have the student marched into your office for suspected under the influence. I'm sure that all your as a whole experiences have given you enough assorted experiences to give you a strong start as a successful SN.

This job is definitely not like any other type of nursing. On the surface to someone who has never done it it can seem repetitive (you sit there and pass out bandaids all day) but it's far from that. It's busy, it's complex, and even during the moments when we have an empty office and down time - we can use that time to catch up or do the background projects.

There are times that I get aggravated with my job - there are times that i think i feel underappreciated and verbally abused by blowhard parents - but then I remind myself that I am here for the students who for the most part are really great kids and I really enjoy being around.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

I will also chime in on the pregnant student situation. In my state (MA), I do not have to call the parents (it is protected health information by law here) and can help the the student to receive health care/testing without parental permission. I would, of course, strongly encourage the student to tell her parents and help facilitate as well in conjunction with the school counselor if she needs support doing so. The way I can document any pregnancy-related treatment is also very protected info in my state, so I'd recommend being familiar with the laws/protection in your state for pregnant teens.

As for drugs, I access, and as someone else said up thread, if they are stable, it is discipline issue, not a medical one and I turn it over to the principal and dean of students. You can always stress the importance of good communication in an interview :).

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Apr 13, 2015

All of the above (HS nurse here). Kids are like onions, you have to peel them back layer by layer. Three things that present, often boil down to anxiety or stress; headaches, shortness of breath (from hyperventilation) and stomach aches.

Farawyn · Apr 13, 2015

ohio, I'm snagging your bubble wrap idea.

For myself!

mamahuff · Apr 13, 2015

ohio, I'm snagging your bubble wrap idea.
For myself!

Farawyn- You just said what many of the rest of us were thinking!! :)

ohiobobcat · Apr 13, 2015

Not gonna lie- I have had to throw away a few pieces of bubble wrap, and it wasn't because the students used it up... :whistling:

SnugglePuggle, MSN, RN · Apr 13, 2015

I let students come in my office and "chill" for a bit sometimes. I keep coloring supplies on hand.

Awesome idea! I have middle school kids and have a few regulars that come to chill due to anxiety. I am going to get an adult coloring book and a set of colored pencils for my clinic!

ohiobobcat · Apr 13, 2015

I am going to get an adult coloring book and a set of colored pencils for my clinic!

I print mandala pages for free off the internet. I have colored pencils and markers for the kids to use.