Employee Health?

Eleven011 · Dec 5, 2017

There is nothing in my job description about doing anything for staff. So, No, I am not required to do anything. That being said, I do look at rashes, take b/p's and recommend treatment, give out bandaids and ointment, take temps, hand out motrin and tums from my personal bag (since everyone thinks I have meds here when I don't) and any other little first aid thing that may come up. I really don't mind, we are a small school and its just nice for me to do. No one, though, has every asked me to excuse them from work, or call a doctor for them.

kidzcare · Dec 5, 2017

I don't mind as long as they realize that I am not there to be a personal vending machine of medical advice.

I have noticed a strange expectation that I will be an expert in every single disease process from every possible specialty. (i.e. I have never worked in dermatology. I do not know the s/s of every skin condition and it's unlikely I will be able to tell you the patho or treatment for the pic of a rash you showed me on your phone).

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Dec 5, 2017

I don't mind as long as they realize that I am not there to be a personal vending machine of medical advice.
I have noticed a strange expectation that I will be an expert in every single disease process from every possible specialty. (i.e. I have never worked in dermatology. I do not know the s/s of every skin condition and it's unlikely I will be able to tell you the patho or treatment for the pic of a rash you showed me on your phone).

Well,...I for one, am HIGHLY disappointed...LOL! Crazy aren't they!?

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2017

I don't mind as long as they realize that I am not there to be a personal vending machine of medical advice.
BWHAHAHAH!

moreoreo · Dec 6, 2017

I have noticed a strange expectation that I will be an expert in every single disease process from every possible specialty. (i.e. I have never worked in dermatology. I do not know the s/s of every skin condition and it's unlikely I will be able to tell you the patho or treatment for the pic of a rash you showed me on your phone).

This!! I am fairly impressionable and put a lot of pressure on myself to meet standards, so when I started this job, I kind of bought into this mindset and was just researching topic after topic because I realized everyone was going to ask me everything. It's good to make yourself learn new things, but I finally calmed down and became comfortable saying, "I'm not an expert in this." Especially for questions like, "what kind of bug is this?"

My staff seems pretty great about not relying on me too much for their own health issues compared to stories I have heard here. I have done a handful of BP checks and occasionally will check a temp--or check for lice. They do sometimes show me something on their skin or a red eye to ask what I think. I ask some questions and do provide some guidance on what they could do next, or what my impression is, but explain I can't diagnose and they should check with their physician. I might help with dressing something or provide a cold or warm compress. Any injury at work, I give first aid and then provide the number for our company nurse. I do not have to complete a report. I simply urge the person to make their call sooner rather than later.

Of course I would intervene and call 911 in an emergency but I am comfortable with the fact that I am not here to manage anyone's condition but rather to help in an urgent situation should it arise.