kids going home when they really don't need to

Specialties School

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I'm very new to this, so maybe I am handling it wrong. I have several frequent fliers, and some of them will not listen to me when I try to explain that they need to stay in school, that there is no need to go home (minor pain in leg, sniffles but no other symptoms, a tiny scratch on the finger that looks fine, things like that). They will insist I call their parents, and about half of the time the parent is able to convince them to stay. The other half, they immediately say they will come pick them up. It really makes me sad that kids are missing class time for no good reason.

Any advice?

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i will call the parents of the children that insist that they need to go home but I will preface the call by telling the parent that their little babe is complaining of whatever and i am seeing no fever, looks fine, no vomiting, whatever and that i see no reason for them to be picked up but that i was letting them know what was going on, that their child felt they were too sick for school and that the final decision was up to them.

Most of the time the parent is thankful for the call and send their little one back to class... well actually most of the time i leave a voice mail saying to call me back and send them packing.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Hematology Oncology, School Nurse.
i will call the parents of the children that insist that they need to go home but I will preface the call by telling the parent that their little babe is complaining of whatever and i am seeing no fever, looks fine, no vomiting, whatever and that i see no reason for them to be picked up but that i was letting them know what was going on, that their child felt they were too sick for school and that the final decision was up to them.

Most of the time the parent is thankful for the call and send their little one back to class... well actually most of the time i leave a voice mail saying to call me back and send them packing.

This is EXACTLY what I do as well.

A lot of it has to do with your admin support. I have so many kids show up in my office after already calling home to let me know that's parent is on their way. I have moms calling me to tell me little darling texted them that they are not feeling well and could I call them down so they are ready when Mom gets there. My admin is fine with this. All these absences are excused. My district is quite afraid of the parents. I used to fight this battle but not anymore. I put my energy into things I can control and make a difference with and leave those I cannot change.

You must work in my district!!!!! I feel the same, pick your battles and pick ones that you have a chance of actually winning as this is not one of them.

In my district, it is irrelevant if I send or parent decision, all excused and coded the same way. I do make sure I chart home-per parent in my notes though. Every once in a blue moon one of these kids become truant and parents try to blame on me for sending home. And then I pull up my lovely documentation and pat myself on the back.

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