Angry Teachers

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Just got yelled at by "the angry teacher" again. She was so angry that I had to walk away and get the Principle to talk to her. She sent a student up (7th grader/frequent flyer) because he was sleeping in her class. When the student came up, he told me he had a headache and he also said he woke up at 4 in the morning and could not go back to sleep. No fever so I let him lay in the clinic for 30 minutes. He went back to class and 2 hours later "the angry teacher" comes in yelling at me about how he's sleeping in her class, etc. and wanted him just to sleep here in my office. I was trying to ask her what she wants me to do but she was yelling so angrily at me that I had to walk away to get someone to calm her down. I think she needs some counselling or angry management. She's always snapping at me about something. Have any of you school nurses experience this? I'm so glad school's almost out:unsure: already spoke with the principal and my district nurse. Any suggestions or advise on how to cope with this. Just don't want her to catch me on a bad day:down: because I know how I can get.

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I get the stink eye because I send the kid back when they bring them to me about something. I will call parents and let them know, the child doesn't need to come to my room for a ice pack, for an invisible boo-boo. A lot of the time the parents just tell me to take them back, there's no reason to visit me.

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I get the stink eye because I send the kid back when they bring them to me about something. I will call parents and let them know, the child doesn't need to come to my room for a ice pack, for an invisible boo-boo. A lot of the time the parents just tell me to take them back, there's no reason to visit me.

Yeah..I get the stink eye a lot too smh...and the teachers love sending me invisible boo-boos wanting ice.

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I once witnessed a colleague letting another staff member have it. I was trapped in the office and not able to exit as the yelling colleague was in the doorway. It was truly shocking. The rant was overheard by staff, other parents, and any number of other poor souls close by. We all get frustrated, but in there should be no tolerance for this type of a diatribe. DOCUMENT and then meet with the principal. Usually all you have to say is "Maybe this is a matter for H.R." They hate that. It will get their attention.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Exactly!! I had teachers to report that I don't keep the students long enough. I do my assessment no fever no vomiting speak with parents they want student back in class. My gosh it's not detention...how long do they want a non-symptomatic child to stay in my office..GEESH!!

Do the teachers really think it is their place to second-guess you? When a child uses bad grammar in your office do you go and scream at the teacher?

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Maybe the child needs a new teacher. Maybe the whole class needs a new teacher and she needs to seek psych counseling. That child may just be reaching out for help but what about the other children in her class? She seems to be in the wrong profession. If you can't tolerate special ed children then you shouldn't be in their class. I'm concerned for all the children in her class. If that child seems to be ignored, he will continue to display abnormal behavior. Next time she sends him to your office, I would contact the parent and relay to her exactly what he says, or have him speak with her. I went through this with my son and his teacher was a tragic b**&ch! She ended up getting fired and my son didn't have those problems anymore. Some people shouldn't be in school with our children.

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Specializes in School nursing.
Not to mention that a healthy kid in the nurse's office will not stay that way long. It's basically a petri dish waiting to infect all who enter.

THIS.

And I got proof this year! The seniors in my school that take AP Environmental Science did a lab where they basically placed crude petri dishes in several places around the school. Guess whose had the highest bacteria count? Yep - this lady! ;)

The nurse's office is no place for healthy people.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

The nurse's office isn't for taking a day long nap. If you're sick and awaiting a pickup, that's one thing but lack of sleep or the teenager's ability to sleep an entire day is not going to happen. I've had teachers that have made this an issue in the past. I've told them that if a student is so tired that it's impacting their academics, that it's a worthwhile discussion for them to have with a parent. If they truly feel the student can't stay, then I'll make a courtesy call to a parent to see what they want to do. I'd say that 85% of the time the parent tells me they are at work, too far, doesn't answer, etc. 10% the parent just straight up says no. 5% might get picked up for sleepiness - but to be honest, that's really a high estimate. I *might* be kind depending on the student and offer them to rest during their lunch / recess / study hall. But should they take me up on the offer (which they almost never do) i make no effort to be more quiet. My music is still playing, the phone is ringing, my door is slamming and the parade of malingerers. The sleep seeking student's usually don't find it a restful experience and usually won't ask for it again.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I had a student who was very tired and wouldn't wake up from my bed. I had mother come but she didn't come until close to dismissal. The poor child missed lunch and class. After that I told mother that she needs to make sure he goes to bed on time, because the reason he didn't sleep was they went to speedys (a go-cart place) and didn't get home until 11pm. I know it was just one occurrence, but still. She understood and took him home.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Sounds to me like the teacher is the real problem. I had an abusive home life. Sometimes my stress was so high I would feel like I was falling asleep in the middle of being screamed at. I know now that was flat up my brain trying to cope with panic, fear and trauma. If the teacher will behave that way toward a peer how is he or she behaving toward the students, where there is an authority gradient?

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
Sounds to me like the teacher is the real problem. I had an abusive home life. Sometimes my stress was so high I would feel like I was falling asleep in the middle of being screamed at. I know now that was flat up my brain trying to cope with panic, fear and trauma. If the teacher will behave that way toward a peer how is he or she behaving toward the students, where there is an authority gradient?

Thank you for your willingness to share this and explain it this way. I mentioned earlier that I have spent a lot of time this school year becoming familiar with childhood trauma and its effects- and how it effects the child in the classroom. What you have described makes perfect sense, I just can't yet put it into words like you have. Many hugs to you. I wish I could learn from your example of compassion and empathy.:happy:

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Do the teachers really think it is their place to second-guess you? When a child uses bad grammar in your office do you go and scream at the teacher?

Oh I get second guessed all the time. If I send a student back to their class, they would call the secretary and ask her questions on why I sent the student back. No fever, no vomiting, spoke with mom she wants them back in class. It's simple as that. It makes me wonder how they have all that time to second guess me than teaching the class.

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Maybe the child needs a new teacher. Maybe the whole class needs a new teacher and she needs to seek psych counseling. That child may just be reaching out for help but what about the other children in her class? She seems to be in the wrong profession. If you can't tolerate special ed children then you shouldn't be in their class. I'm concerned for all the children in her class. If that child seems to be ignored, he will continue to display abnormal behavior. Next time she sends him to your office, I would contact the parent and relay to her exactly what he says, or have him speak with her. I went through this with my son and his teacher was a tragic b**&ch! She ended up getting fired and my son didn't have those problems anymore. Some people shouldn't be in school with our children.

I was thinking the same thing about that teacher. Because the student mentioned stuff to me about her and he's always saying he's not having a good day. I mentioned a few things to the principal too.

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