Reaching my breaking point with middle schoolers

Specialties School

Published

Has anyone else ever had a period in time where they've just kinda had it. I had a student come in, no pass. Nope, go get a pass. She rolled her eyes as she left. She came back with a pass saying she needs an ice pack for her finger because she bent it back with her other finger. Full ROM, no bruise, no swelling, no redness, nothing. Give me a break! It's a combination of the attitude, the exaggeration, and the fact that the teacher let her leave class for this. It's also that SOOOOOO many students come in asking for ice and when I ask why, I hear the most ridiculous answers. I almost want to ask them if they have a whole freezer with ice packs at home that they use for every ailment. Ok rant over.

Wow! Sounds like you need a pocketful of Xanax to hand out to people who freak out over nothing.

1 Votes
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
On 1/17/2020 at 3:00 PM, BeckyESRN said:

"Not every ache requires intervention" I say this at least 15 times a day. I literally see kids because their body touched something or their head/ear/left great toe hurt for 30 seconds. And the number of "I took a drink, it didn't work" when instructed to drink more water with headache/sore throat/mucus...like 1 drink, C'mon Now. The expectation that one will never live with a single ounce of even temporary discomfort is baffling to me. And it's not a far jump to link this to the opioid epidemic.

According to JCO, this is the expectation of life, no discomfort, ever.

6 Votes
Specializes in School nurse.
3 minutes ago, MrNurse(x2) said:

According to JCO, this is the expectation of life, no discomfort, ever.

So true!
Now....about that opioid epidemic ?

5 Votes

i found most middle schoolers LOVE the attention of carrying an ice pack

7 Votes
Specializes in kids.
33 minutes ago, palli said:

i found most middle schoolers LOVE the attention of carrying an ice pack

Truth!!

3 Votes
Specializes in School nursing.
21 hours ago, palli said:

i found most middle schoolers LOVE the attention of carrying an ice pack

Since I use actual ice, most also enjoy eating it.

(But to be fair, the eating of ice has worked as a break/calming tool for some of my MS with anxiety and/or sensory overload I've discovered.)

5 Votes
Specializes in school nursing.
On 1/16/2020 at 9:15 AM, tining said:

NO visits during passing period for me.

I have to email attendance clerk with name, ID#, period = headache.

I will give a pad though.

I don't allow passing period visits either except for a quick bandaid or pad or to check the EVER SO LOVED lost and found.

On 1/16/2020 at 9:19 AM, kelleyk1991 said:

When I'm at the high school, I see maybe one kid a day. It's my elementary schools that send down for everything.

Lucky! I get silly visits here all the time in my HS. I do love these kids and enjoy laughing about it with them. I think a lot of them just need to break away for a short minute.

2 Votes
Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

@tining "Give it some time, it will feel fine!"

I like to explain to kids that having some pain is normal, because it's our body's way of reminding us to be wary of an injured part; If we take away all the pain, you do more harm than good in the long run.

I will admit that I am lenient with ice packs for pre-k and kindergarten students, but the second you hit first grade, unless it is red/swollen/bruised or I have specific orders, no ice.

6 Votes
Specializes in School Nurse.
2 hours ago, k1p1ssk said:

@tining "Give it some time, it will feel fine!"

I like to explain to kids that having some pain is normal, because it's our body's way of reminding us to be wary of an injured part; If we take away all the pain, you do more harm than good in the long run.

I will admit that I am lenient with ice packs for pre-k and kindergarten students, but the second you hit first grade, unless it is red/swollen/bruised or I have specific orders, no ice.

Exactly

1 Votes
Quote
4 hours ago, k1p1ssk said:

@tining "Give it some time, it will feel fine!"

I like to explain to kids that having some pain is normal, because it's our body's way of reminding us to be wary of an injured part; If we take away all the pain, you do more harm than good in the long run.

I will admit that I am lenient with ice packs for pre-k and kindergarten students, but the second you hit first grade, unless it is red/swollen/bruised or I have specific orders, no ice.

This!

1 Votes
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