School nurses and other RNs not supportive of decision to send their child home

[rollernurse365]

I have to tell you all I left school last week LIVID. Flu and strep are hitting hard here with most cases happening in one class. I had to send home kids with fever in droves. Some only had fever while others had a variety of symptoms. Two of the mothers, both RNs (one is a school nurse) proceeded to insist my thermometer is broken/inaccurate as they "didn't have fever" at home. They then proceeded to stir the pot on FaceBook with other parents. I did not see what was said because I do not "friend" parents, students, etc. as it crosses professional boundaries. However, the teacher relayed what was said.... And in came the emails from other parents questioning my thermometer, swearing their children were fine. REALLY?!

I gave our principal the heads-up. The principal had no issue with how I am handling everything so I went about my business. I have been an nurse for 10 years and have never been accused of not checking temperatures properly. I base decisions using appropriate tools, assessment skills, and experience.

Since then, most students who were sent home last week ended up flu and/or strep positive. One tested negative initially but the back up culture grew out strep.

I guess I am needing to share this experience so we can all be mindful how we treat other nurses. We may not all agree on decisions made but should still be supportive. There is no need to be rude and cause more stress and drama than already exists. This job is difficult enough. Most school nurses are the only medical professional on site at any given time. I am terribly disappointed that another school nurse could act like that. She knows the job and still chose to not only be insulting over the phone but also on social media.

Thanks for listening.

[kidzcare]

Ug. I am sorry

[rollernurse365]

Thank you. I am at a loss.

[AJJKRN]

The wonderful "politics" of nursing...definitely blurs lines at times. (((Hugs)))

[SassyTachyRN]

I had one yesterday that was 100.5, child was in tears with body aches and headache, it took me one hour and 9 phone calls to reach someone to come get the child. Another 45 mins for someone to show up. Out of curiosity, I checked the child's temp again while parent was signing out in main office. It was 98.5. My only theory is that the fever broke on it own during the 1hr 45 min wait for the parent. I didn't feel bad about sending home. Clearly the child is brewing something.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

::Hugs:: I'm so sorry this is happening! Thank goodness you seem to have a supportive principal.

[Farawyn]

Some people are just nasty.

I'm glad you vented. I love this place.

[rollernurse365]

Thank you all so much. Your support is more helpful than you know.

[rollernurse365]

I had one yesterday that was 100.5, child was in tears with body aches and headache, it took me one hour and 9 phone calls to reach someone to come get the child. Another 45 mins for someone to show up. Out of curiosity, I checked the child's temp again while parent was signing out in main office. It was 98.5. My only theory is that the fever broke on it own during the 1hr 45 min wait for the parent. I didn't feel bad about sending home. Clearly the child is brewing something.

Exactly a point I was making. It is entirely possible for temps to fluctuate on their own expecially if it takes an hour or more to get them home and they've been outdoors in the cold. Nurses know that which is why I couldn't believe these two parents could be so awful.

One strep case took nearly a week to yeild a positive result. The child's temp hung around 100-100.5 and dropped back to normal. Clearly the child's immune system was trying to take care of it. What sucks is when I saw the child had fever, I called the parent (not a nurse but friends with the two trouble makers). I also did an assessment and found petechiae on the palate near he tonsils which can be a sign of strep. I always share relevant findings with parents. This parent sent the nasty gram once they got home saying the child was fine. Child was sent back to schoolnext day. Today mom picked the student up with an "oops the back up culture was positive so I'm here to pick _______ up early". Craptastic.

[SnowyJ, RN]

I will never understand how parents can be this way. It's ridiculous. I've had students with a fever, and the parents claim they were "fine" after they got home. Sorry, I don't buy it. Your child came to me not feeling well, and I did my job which included an assessment of their temp. If they felt better later, a parent should consider themselves lucky. Especially given the amount of illness we are seeing!

Don't let them get to you. Odds are they just don't want to have to deal with their own child. And that's sad. The kids are lucky to have you care for them.

[rollernurse365]

I will never understand how parents can be this way. It's ridiculous. I've had students with a fever, and the parents claim they were "fine" after they got home. Sorry, I don't buy it. Your child came to me not feeling well, and I did my job which included an assessment of their temp. If they felt better later, a parent should consider themselves lucky. Especially given the amount of illness we are seeing!

Don't let them get to you. Odds are they just don't want to have to deal with their own child. And that's sad. The kids are lucky to have you care for them.

I appreciate this. It's just plain crazy. I feel confident in my abilities. Who knows what goes on once they leave my office. Let's suppose the kid found a way to fake me out. That is still an issue for the parent to address. I can only do so much. The rest is up to the parents.

Did I tell you all this is only a part time 4hr/day job? That's right. I get to cram 8 hrs of work into 4. And I'm the only nurse. OK I'm breathing

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Not a school RN...but sheesh, I'm sorry that happened to you. Remember there are jerks in every profession. Some jerks in ours happen to be parents of your students.