Random Thoughts: School Nurses

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My mantra lately: "Wash your HANDS, go back to CLASS and cover your COUGH!"

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I am just curious...has anyone else had the experience of not being able to reach a parent when you call on your school phone, but lo and behold they answer when you call on your cell? Hmmmmm...I've done that. Interesting how that works.

One of the perks to working a private school, involved, sometimes helicopter (a negative) parents. I know that within 30 minutes I will have an answer.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
The issue is all the phones in this building come up with the name of the school district only. So parents see that, and may not think it is urgent, or they are avoiding the call because they know their child went to school not feeling well, and they want to buy themselves more time.

No truer words have been spoken, typed. On the flip side, Parent: "I got a call from the school." School: "Did you check your voice mail?" Parent: "No, I saw it was from the school and just called back."

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

a school provided i phone would be a great thing for me. i have 2 sets of deaf parents that would love for me to text them when i need them rather than call their deafchat service. I'm not holding my breath for this one though.

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No truer words have been spoken, typed. On the flip side, Parent: "I got a call from the school." School: "Did you check your voice mail?" Parent: "No, I saw it was from the school and just called back."

OK this just makes me CRAZY! Probably my biggest pet peeve working in a school!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
No truer words have been spoken, typed. On the flip side, Parent: "I got a call from the school." School: "Did you check your voice mail?" Parent: "No, I saw it was from the school and just called back."

Guilty! I often just call back without listening. I look at it as the parent was conscientious and wanted to call back as soon as possible. I am the first to admit I am a Pollyanna and want to see the good in people.

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No truer words have been spoken, typed. On the flip side, Parent: "I got a call from the school." School: "Did you check your voice mail?" Parent: "No, I saw it was from the school and just called back."

I HATE when they do this!!! How am I supposed to know who called you? And I'm not wasting my time transferring you around the building! LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE!!!!

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Specializes in School nursing.
I use my personal phone, as my number is in the parent directory. Haven't thought of the picture thing, thanks Old Dude! Love being able to text, parents can often see my text at work and decide if it is worthwhile.

I will use my personal cell phone with a couple of certain parents, but I do not want every parent having my cell #. If I have trouble reaching a parent, my trick is to ask the student if they have a cell phone (they usually do, but are not allowed to use in school), allow them to use it to text a parent to call me. Parent will answer their kid. It has a very high success rate for me.

I'd love it if my school gave me a school iPhone!

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Our poor secretary gets calls daily from people who saw the school called, but nobody left a message. Each classroom has its own phone, and there's no way for her to know who called. If it was that important, people, the caller would have left a message!

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Our poor secretary gets calls daily from people who saw the school called, but nobody left a message. Each classroom has its own phone, and there's no way for her to know who called. If it was that important, people, the caller would have left a message!

Do you all have a Bat Phone? To call the rooms?

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I had a parent call out the school nurse (me) on Facebook for calling and not leaving a message. This mom is a nurse WHO I WORKED WITH in the ER. We have been friends WAY longer than I have been her child's nurse at school. I said (on Facebook)- "Whoops that was me!! Sorry, I tried to reach "Tom" (the dad) instead." And she STILL b****ed about it after I apologized. If it was important I WOULD HAVE LEFT A MESSAGE!!!! I just needed a parent to tell me it was OK to give Suzy some Tylenol for her headache. I was very angry that day and had to step away from Facebook for a bit after that one.

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I had a parent call out the school nurse (me) on Facebook for calling and not leaving a message. This mom is a nurse WHO I WORKED WITH in the ER. We have been friends WAY longer than I have been her child's nurse at school. I said (on Facebook)- "Whoops that was me!! Sorry, I tried to reach "Tom" (the dad) instead." And she STILL b****ed about it after I apologized. If it was important I WOULD HAVE LEFT A MESSAGE!!!! I just needed a parent to tell me it was OK to give Suzy some Tylenol for her headache. I was very angry that day and had to step away from Facebook for a bit after that one.

There have been times when I have had to hang up before leaving a message BECAUSE someone comes in the door bleeding or the they are calling me on my radio to get to an emergency. Otherwise, I always leave a message.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
Do you all have a Bat Phone? To call the rooms?

No, I have walkie talkies, I always forget to turn mine on or put it back to the right channel.

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