Screenings

Close the clinic to all but emergencies. With a sign. You don't interrupt the teachers during testing....

THIS!!! ^^^ if they continue to come in just tell them you are testing and they can't be seen right now. I put a sign on the door that says "Testing in progess - nurse available for medications and emergencies only". Granted, kids (and teachers) think everything is an emergency.

Two thoughts, one create a system where you can do both, either by having a float nurse cover the health office and perform the screenings elsewhere in the building or have another adult in your office and manage non emergencies.
two- I encourage you to use another word other an “emergencies”, the definition to a teacher / school staff and to you of what is a medical emergency is two very different things. I will say something like unless a student is unable to breathe well or they have active flowing blood or an obvious broken bone the office will be closed as I will be performing state mandated screenings until 12pm then the health office will be open for students.

On 11/15/2019 at 2:53 PM, Flare said:

THIS!!! ^^^ if they continue to come in just tell them you are testing and they can't be seen right now. I put a sign on the door that says "Testing in progess - nurse available for medications and emergencies only". Granted, kids (and teachers) think everything is an emergency.

The front desk person thinks everything is an emergency...?

You have to spell it out for them. I always include "Emergencies such as............"

I also specifically state that old injuries, etc. ARE NOT emergencies.

Of course, they still send that stuff regardless!

I find that in the middle school setting especially, the moment I send out an email saying please don't sent students, they'll send more than if I just didn't send it out at all. Not purposefully, not vindictively, it just happens.

So, my recommendation to you is not to send the email. Pretend it's a normal day as far as the rest of the staff is concerned. You can also call students down for screenings a handful at a time and see ill students in between the screening groups (unless it is an emergency). That way, you don't get a huge backup of students in your office and it's less frustrating for you.