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.
And it shows how little the health and privacy of the students mean to the administration.
Assessing students with no privacy is inexcusable. Put your foot down. You can't effectively do your job without providing students privacy. Find some literature on student privacy and maybe some case law where schools have been sued. That might move the administration team.
Hmmmm? Wonder how much C19 has to do with that decision!
It had everything to do with it. I saw my opportunity and took advantage of it. Everything I have been wanting for the past few years I got - my own office, strict immunization record policy (students could start school without submitting a copy of their immunization records or exemption form), and a better medical software. ?
ruby_jane, BSN, RN
3,142 Posts
There's your answer.....