"She can't do anything"

[kkbb, MSN, RN]

My son felt ill at school last Friday. He had a temp and a sore throat (he did not complain about anything that morning or he would have stayed home). He asked his teacher if he could go to see the school nurse. The teacher would not let him, stating "she can't do anything." Really???

I LOVE his school nurse (he hit his head a few times over the past few years so we have had many conversations). I am not expecting her to cure him, but if a child is not feeling well they should be allowed to see the nurse. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that why schools have nurses?

Sorry for the rant, but it really upset me that my son's teacher was just so flip about the nurse. Turns out my son has strep and shouldn't have been in the class.

[OldDude]

The first thing I would do is contact the teacher and get her/his input about what your son said took place. I'm not saying the teacher didn't tell him that but my experience is most teachers would not have a reason to say something like that; and, of course, there are some teachers, as with all professions, that are dumber than a sack of doorknobs - whether new to teaching or not. Anyway, get the other side of the story and go from there. If this teacher really thinks that about the school nurse her/his opinion needs to be educated, pronto, by the principal, and this is a good opportunity to do it.

[kkbb, MSN, RN]

I absolutely will talk to his teacher, and in a rational and calm manor. My husband also questioned our son, asking him how many times he tried to see the nurse this year (Friday was the first time). I have had a few other issues with this teacher, so I am thinking that my son's story isn't too far off base.

[OldDude]

Please keep us informed.

[WineRN]

To go with what OldDude said, if your son simply said his throat hurt, a teacher might hesitate to send him. Most of my teachers know to have the student try extra water and rest before coming to me.