School nurses - thoughts on this?

kidzcare · Jan 21, 2016

I hate to sound cynical, but I would like to know if this student was truly in respiratory distress or if this student saw a way to play the hero and impress his classmates. I had a student force her bus to turn around and return to the school for her inhaler and when I ran out to the bus in sub zero weather with the inhaler, a pulse oximeter, my stethescope, and my phone ready to dial 911... The student was laughing and smiling that such a fuss was being made over her.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2016

An email? That's ridiculous! Send the student to me or call me! I've had students come to get me sent from the teacher in a classroom down the hall. What the heck is wrong with this school? I don't know what's worse, this story or this one:

Texas student suspended, faces alternative school for sharing inhaler with asthmatic friend - Washington Times

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Jan 21, 2016

Sounds like the student helped to make that outcome a positive one. That nurse needs to inservice the teachers on ABC's of first aid. My kids get sent to me, no passes, no notes. I always check that the teachers know they are here, but with 112 students, it is pretty easy to track them. Have said it before, but I feel like I am in ShangriLa.

Eleven011 · Jan 21, 2016

An email is ridiculous! I would have been called right away, or even overhead paged! Or the teacher would have brought her himself!

DEgalRN · Jan 22, 2016

An email? That's ridiculous! Send the student to me or call me! I've had students come to get me sent from the teacher in a classroom down the hall. What the heck is wrong with this school? I don't know what's worse, this story or this one:
Texas student suspended, faces alternative school for sharing inhaler with asthmatic friend - Washington Times

I was actually having a conversation about the article you posted yesterday. Regardless of my personal feelings on the actions of the school and the students, the school does have to follow their code of conduct. If that's the policy, unfortunately that's the policy. And while I think most people would agree (and probably the administrators too) that there should be extenuating circumstances that allow for changes, their codes and policies are their legal protection. Maybe they'll reword it for next year?

DEgalRN · Jan 22, 2016

Generally the teachers call me for everything. In an emergent situation it changes only if I don't answer the phone, since they'll find me on my walkie or page me overhead. They won't do that for non-emergent situations.

Of course, anyone having a true emergency should be accompanied (preferably by an adult) to me or I should go to them.

ohiobobcat · Jan 22, 2016

I would be notified of and emergency by an overhead paged "Code Blue" or another student running to get me. Or a teacher calling my room directly.

If I am in the middle of a rush of students, I sometimes don't check my email for 15 minutes or more, so an email on an actively SOB student is a very dangerous (for the student) way to notify me of an emergency.

SchoolNurseTXstyle · Jan 22, 2016

I hate to sound cynical, but I would like to know if this student was truly in respiratory distress or if this student saw a way to play the hero and impress his classmates. I had a student force her bus to turn around and return to the school for her inhaler and when I ran out to the bus in sub zero weather with the inhaler, a pulse oximeter, my stethescope, and my phone ready to dial 911... The student was laughing and smiling that such a fuss was being made over her.

I am with you on this. I wonder what the true story was behind this. Did the kid barely return from being assessed by the nurse and was fine? Was the kid actually in any distress? Too many unknowns!!

AdobeRN · Jan 22, 2016

I don't think we are hearing the whole story with this one. It doesn't make sense that a teacher or anyone for that matter would sit and watch someone have difficulty breathing and not do anything and wait for an email from the nurse.

Farawyn · Jan 22, 2016

I don't think we are hearing the whole story with this one. It doesn't make sense that a teacher or anyone for that matter would sit and watch someone have difficulty breathing and not do anything and wait for an email from the nurse.

I dunno... I don't think anything is unthinkable anymore.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2016

I was actually having a conversation about the article you posted yesterday. Regardless of my personal feelings on the actions of the school and the students, the school does have to follow their code of conduct. If that's the policy, unfortunately that's the policy. And while I think most people would agree (and probably the administrators too) that there should be extenuating circumstances that allow for changes, their codes and policies are their legal protection. Maybe they'll reword it for next year?

That's true however, the school policy stated controlled medications. Albuterol may be a steroid, but it is not a controlled medication so I still do not understand the school's thought process on punishing the girls.