Who uses the restroom in your office?

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Dec 20, 2016

Wow! Okay so here is the thing. I'm the new nurse here and I guess they got used to not having a nurse. When I go to lunch, there is one particular person who has a key to my office and she let's herself in to use the restroom. There are staff who come in to use the restroom. Some ask, most don't (and those who don't, don't even say hello). My problem is that they leave the restroom disgusting. Like pee and feces on the seat sometimes. It's gross.

The issue with the keys is that I have to leave the med keys in my office and granted there are my backups who have keys to my office and keys to the medicine cabinet also. I don't have an issue with those people cause they have been trained on medication administration and fill in my, in the case of my absence. The issue I have is with the one lady who particularly let's herself in to use the restroom before I've even gotten to my office or when I'm at lunch. Any advice?

Nurse_JackieVA, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2016

My question is why are there so many people with access to your clinic? Honestly that's a safety issue for me. There should be limited access to your clinic especially if you're leaving your meds keys inside. I'd talk to your Principal and see about limiting access to the clinic when you're not there - it's a safety issue. I had to do this with the VP - he was letting kids into my clinic when I wasn't there - nope not doing that anymore. You have to set your boundries fast with the staff/students - especially when it comes to your office/clinic. People shouldn't be making a mess and if they do make them clean it up.

bsyrn, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2016

Ask your principal to limit the number of people who have keys to your office and put a big sign, student use only on your bathroom door.

scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2016

I agree...why so many people have access to your office? I am the only one with a key to mine, except the "extra" set that is for when a sub is here, and those are locked up in the principals desk. Well, the custodian has one too!

Anyway, when you leave your office, you should take the keys with you, I never leave my office without them (I have a separate key chain for my 'work keys' that have the keys to my desk, cabinets, main door, and locked med box. I keep them in my work bag so they are always with me, even over the summer.

Since you are new, it sounds like you need to set some boundaries, why are staff using your bathroom? Do they have one? I would talk to the principal about setting limits, maybe you can come up with a list and send an email to staff.

Also, whenever I leave my office (even if it is to go to another classroom or gym) I have an OPEN and CLOSED sign for my door. so everyone knows if I am there or not. (I just eat lunch in my office...it is easier!).

Farawyn · Dec 21, 2016

Some crazy special ed teacher uses it every day.

I keep telling her that's where the kids puke, but whatever...

AliNajaCat · Dec 21, 2016

Wow! Okay so here is the thing. I'm the new nurse here and I guess they got used to not having a nurse. When I go to lunch, there is one particular person who has a key to my office and she let's herself in to use the restroom. There are staff who come in to use the restroom. Some ask, most don't (and those who don't, don't even say hello). My problem is that they leave the restroom disgusting. Like pee and feces on the seat sometimes. It's gross.
The issue with the keys is that I have to leave the med keys in my office and granted there are my backups who have keys to my office and keys to the medicine cabinet also. I don't have an issue with those people cause they have been trained on medication administration and fill in my, in the case of my absence. The issue I have is with the one lady who particularly let's herself in to use the restroom before I've even gotten to my office or when I'm at lunch. Any advice?

How about an"Out of Order" sign prn?

JustRNingAlong, BSN · Dec 22, 2016

I want to thank each and every single one of you for your support. I work in a big highschool. My locks will be changed and only administration, custodial staff, my back ups, and myself will have keys to the office. I mentioned the restrooms being left in gross conditions and the decision was made for me that they are to no longer be used by staff beginning January after the holiday break. As far as me taking my keys they say I shouldn't (although I find it so strange that everyone else with keys to my office gets to take them home). Anyway, big improvements if I do say so myself. I'm glad I mustered up the courage to speak up, and really it is all thanks to you all. I seriously thought I was over-reacting. Yes, to answer the question, they do have their own bathroom but they all use mine cause it's clean and theirs is well, gross. But it's getting out of hand too much traffic in my office and kids having to wait in the restroom cause staff is in there is a big no no in my book.

kidzcare · Dec 22, 2016

I don't have a big problem with people in and out to use the restroom. I use it so I don't have to leave my office for long but no other staff members ever pop in to use it and students only do when they are in my office for a health related visit.

grammy1 · Dec 22, 2016

Our county requires all secondary school clinics to have 2 bathrooms, one for boys and one for girls. Since we are in a portable building, away from the main office area, ours have become faculty and student bathrooms. That is of course, unless the health department is inspecting, then the boys and girls are used the way they should be. :yes: As for keys, the other nurse and I, custodians, and administration has master keys. Only the other nurse and I have med keys.

guest83140 · Jan 4, 2017

Oooowee, I used to have that problem at two other previous schools. The last one elementary, the main office used mine and would grab paper towels to handle my door knobs as if my entire room was infected. And then the elementary special needs lost their room to a portable outside room with no restroom and they lined up for mine including big kids BM accidents, ouch! Then the school before that the front secretary came in unannounced at a middle school small DAEP school. She was a Mrs. Grabbit, nosey as she walked in and out. Now I have an outside restroom that I don't have to oversee. Yeah!

ana010 · Jan 4, 2017

How about an"Out of Order" sign prn?

I did this at my middle school a few years ago. Turned the water off to toilet (portable building) and locked the door. Stopped the traffic flow.

Decide what you will tell people when they ask if toilet is working in 6 weeks. And IMO you should have keys and ONE other person, the principal or designee. On my campus it is principal's secretary for logistical reasons.

Change is hard. At my former middle school campus I spent an entire year+ explaining I am not Mrs. Former Nurse.

Good Luck!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2017

I don't have a bathroom in my clinic. I have a sink and a privacy screen if needed for kids to use to clean up. It's such a pain. I did have one tiny office one time with a tiny bathroom and this male teacher would come in every day after lunch to do #2 in it and stink up my whole office. Every. single. day... So gross! So although it's a pain not always having a bathroom I'm happier with this situation than that one! LOL! I'm glad you're getting new locks. My office is connected to the main office so teachers use my office to pass through as a short cut several times daily. I hate it. I've tried asking them not to, the principal asked them not to, I've put up signs, etc and nothing works. I'll have teachers literally stand in my doorway and yell to someone in the office while I'm on the phone so I can't hear well. I've had teachers literally shove their way through a conversation I'm having in my office with a parent. I find it all so disrespectful and rude. The only thing I ever hear is "I'm sorry I'm cutting through" as they do it every day. Um no you're not. I also have to cover the office at lunch time and help out daily. I truly wish my office was somewhere else.