Schools medical policy?

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Hi Everyone,

I have been working at private school (K -12) for almost 3 years and I do not have my own office. Before I came on board they had the office manager handling all the medical issues and gave the nurses office to another admin team member. I sit in the front office out in the open with no privacy - Staff, parents, and visitors can hear everything.

From my understanding HIPAA doesn't apply to schools, is this correct?

Does FERPA protect students medical info?

I have stressed my concern to my boss about having my own office. I do not think it's right that the students do not have a private place to speak with me about personal and sometimes embarrassing medical concerns. I am hoping there is something stating that schools should have a nurses (medical) office to protect students medical info.

Also, I am not the only one concerned about not having my own office. Several of my students have mentioned to me that they wish I had my own office so, they can speak with me in private. My students and I try are best to whisper in hopes no one hears but it's not good enough for me.

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Where do you clean wounds? Where do kids use the restroom?? Where do they lay down when ill??

OMG!!! Yes, you need your own office!! Privacy just beeing one of many issues.

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12 minutes ago, EnoughWithTheIce said:

Where do you clean wounds?

By my desk or when the private bathroom is available.

Where do kids use the restroom??

Private bathroom in the front office

Where do they lay down when ill??

I lay a cot out in our spirit room where we sell merchandise. - This room is not private.

OMG!!! Yes, you need your own office!! Privacy just beeing one of many issues.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

it's all fun and games there until a kid pukes all over the main office floor. For all the reasons mentioned, it should be a no brainer that you need a private space. How far is the "spirit room" from your desk? Can they change that around and make the spirit room your office and put their merchandise elsewhere?

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Is there space somewhere that could be converted to your office or would it be a big remodel? You absolutely need a private space.

Student medical records are covered by FERPA.

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Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.

I am at 5 sites, 2 sites have actual nurses offices, one of which also doubles as storage. I have one that is a converted storage space and 2 that are converted admin offices, one of which I share with the behavior specialist (it's a nurses office on the days he isn't on campus). I am kicked out of my office at all but one site several times a month for CPS, outside specialists or other admin that need the space to interview students and/or families. I then work in the main office with no desk and sometimes no chair. Not as bad as you have it for sure, but I definitely can relate to your frustration. It seems everyone else's need for space is more important than the nurse.

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8 hours ago, Flare said:

it's all fun and games there until a kid pukes all over the main office floor. For all the reasons mentioned, it should be a no brainer that you need a private space. How far is the "spirit room" from your desk? Can they change that around and make the spirit room your office and put their merchandise elsewhere?

The spirit room is about 15 feet from my desk. They cannot turn the room into a nurses office. My hope is they will decided to move my coworker who is using the nurses office. There are several big offices she could share with someone.

9 hours ago, SaltineQueen said:

Is there space somewhere that could be converted to your office or would it be a big remodel? You absolutely need a private space.

Student medical records are covered by FERPA.

My hope is they will decided to move my coworker who is using the nurses office. There are several big offices she could share with someone. Thank you for letting me know what FERPA covers.

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4 hours ago, Glitternurse said:

I am at 5 sites, 2 sites have actual nurses offices, one of which also doubles as storage. I have one that is a converted storage space and 2 that are converted admin offices, one of which I share with the behavior specialist (it's a nurses office on the days he isn't on campus). I am kicked out of my office at all but one site several times a month for CPS, outside specialists or other admin that need the space to interview students and/or families. I then work in the main office with no desk and sometimes no chair. Not as bad as you have it for sure, but I definitely can relate to your frustration. It seems everyone else's need for space is more important than the nurse.

What gets me is a few of my coworkers have a office that they hardly use! I forgot to mention that parents and grandparents have made comments about me needing my own office for privacy. I let my boss know but I think the parents need to start telling my boss and not me.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
17 hours ago, MegWorth said:

My hope is they will decided to move my coworker who is using the nurses office. There are several big offices she could share with someone.

There is a clinic on your school that a non-medical person is using as an office, and you, the nurse, has to assess students in the front office, with no privacy? What is the position of your co-worker, using what should be your office??

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Holy H-e-doublehockeystics...

Whether it's HIPAA or just plain privacy because not everyone needs to know - this is not OK. I wish you luck in changing it.

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2 hours ago, lifelearningrn said:

There is a clinic on your school that a non-medical person is using as an office, and you, the nurse, has to assess students in the front office, with no privacy? What is the position of your co-worker, using what should be your office??

The assistant to the Principal and VP. She could easily share an office space with someone.

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Specializes in school nurse.
On 10/17/2019 at 8:13 AM, SaltineQueen said:

Is there space somewhere that could be converted to your office or would it be a big remodel? You absolutely need a private space.

Student medical records are covered by FERPA.

Private schools come under HIPAA, while public schools are under FERPA.

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