Ridiculous Reasons to See the Nurse

Windchaser22 · Oct 9, 2014

Today...

1. A K student...my pants are too big. (They weren't but I made a gauze belt).

2. 1st grader crying...I think my heart is broke. Awww, Seriously I wanted to just hug him.

lvnforschool · Oct 9, 2014

This week...

Kid #1 I have ear pain

Ok and what can I do?

Can I have a ice pack...

Really?

Kid # 2- I have 3 test strips ( type 1 diabetic)

Ok its 10 am, thats plenty for today, you only need one for lunch time testing.

But my dad said I cant use them all, cause he cant go to the store today!

Wth....???

Kid # 3 im not feeling well, its hard to focus.

Have you eaten anything?

Yes, just a rice crispy treat.

Ok lunch is in 20 mins....Eat something!!!

mc3, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2014

Today:

Student vomited on the bus on the way in. Told Mom wasn't feeling good, but... Arranged for him to go home. Friend comes up 15 minutes later, tops. "I'm sick because he's sick".

(sigh)

One of those days today.....pretty awful this week, actually. Extra full moon for sure!!!!!

mc3:blink:

jbiddle · Oct 12, 2014

2nd grader: "My throat is sore" (no redness, swelling, or white patches noted, temp normal).... here's some water...... "it feels like a toenail is stuck in my throat"........ and how would you know what that feels like? has that happened before? ...... "yes I was chewing them last night"

amoLucia · Oct 18, 2014

I have probably 100 hand made cards that each kid tells me exactly what I saw them for. lol I plan on making a portfolio with them so if I ever need to find another job I have at least 100 good references.
I could write a book (as most nurses can) about all the chaos that ensues and it so hysterical it becomes like a comedy skit. I don't get paid enough for my job but the suspense of "What is going to happen today" keeps me going back. :-)

You should write a book. A simple 'Day in the Life of a School Nurse'. It would make for fun reading.

I worked with a nurse who was keeping a log of the silly reasons nsg staff would call out with. Some of those excuses would rival the ridiculousness of those of Corporal Klinger in M*A*S*H. If you were in the nsg office when she took a wild phone call. she'd add it to her log and read off some of them to us. You'd laugh yourself to tears with some of them. She always said she would publish them; I wonder if she ever has.

I'm reminded that some years ago, I read a book by a Gina Somebody, a gal from a real local Catholic school in my city. All about Pagan Babies and Catholic school. If anyone is of my generation, you'll remember Pagan Babies if you went to Cath school. She published a book that appealed to us locals and Cath school students. It was worth it to read for the laughs!!!

ro2878, ADN, BSN · Oct 21, 2014

Just today and exactly at 9 minutes before the dismissal bell: hiccups!

How a teacher could actually write out a pass and send a student to me for this right before dismissal (and during my 30 minute end of the day and emergency only prep period) is beyond me....

Of course, not a hiccup was heard as I explained to the student that hiccups are not a reason to come to the nurse unless they have been going on for a long time (and especially when she was going to picked up by mom in just a few minutes).

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2014

Just today and exactly at 9 minutes before the dismissal bell: hiccups!
How a teacher could actually write out a pass and send a student to me for this right before dismissal (and during my 30 minute end of the day and emergency only prep period) is beyond me....
Of course, not a hiccup was heard as I explained to the student that hiccups are not a reason to come to the nurse unless they have been going on for a long time (and especially when she was going to picked up by mom in just a few minutes).

I don't know why any teacher lets a student see the nurse during the last 10-20 minutes of school day unless it is an actual serious medical issue. This just seems like common sense to me. I, too, am trying to catch up on my documentation then - I cannot tell you how many kids are sent to me with a headache 10 minutes before dismissal. If you lived with a headache until now, you will last 10 more minutes, trust me.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 21, 2014

Oh just throw some thorazine at the kid!!! Aye yay yay!!!! The teachers ate by far the hardest part of this job some days!

tictac · Oct 21, 2014

I don't know why any teacher lets a student see the nurse during the last 10-20 minutes of school day unless it is an actual serious medical issue. This just seems like common sense to me. I, too, am trying to catch up on my documentation then - I cannot tell you how many kids are sent to me with a headache 10 minutes before dismissal. If you lived with a headache until now, you will last 10 more minutes, trust me.

My guess would be CYA. They've probably been complaining all day and the teacher didn't want to send them. Teacher figures if they send them even during the last 10 minutes, they can say that they sent them to the nurse. Doesn't matter that we can't do a darn thing about it, but it takes the liability off of their hands to an extent.

rbytsdy · Oct 22, 2014

Student: My heart is beating fast

Me: Where did you just come from?

Student: What were you doing?

Student: Running.

fetch, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2014

I am 1701% DONE with students coming to me puking or about to puke because of something gross they ate on a dare in the lunchroom! It has spread from 5th grade down to 3rd grade and I AM OVER IT!!!

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Oct 23, 2014

What gets me is the old "I threw up in the bathroom" bit. They look fine, they smell fine and they sit in my clinic 20 minutes without so mush as a gag while playing with my BP cuff and chatting with all of the other students coming in. Yesterday, I had on tell me he threw up 24 times in boys restroom between 8:30am and 11:00 AM.

Oh and even the mention about possible puke in a classroom and teachers are ready to call the nurse, the CDC, and 911! I see actual puke MAYBE 1-2 in an entire school year....