Seems parents aren't parenting

[Feral.Cat.Herder]

Has anyone else noticed parents are becoming more irresponsible? This year I've had a 2nd grader whose parents do not give his insulin after breakfast so by 8:30 his GCM is alarming d/t high BG reading (they give him a McGriddle every am on the way to school), he is a very picky eater and won't eat at school so we deal with lo BG after lunch. I've suggested packing a lunch, but have yet to see him bring one. A 4th grade diabetic with a pump comes to school with no insulin in the cartridge, and of course all phone calls go straight to voice mail with no return calls. That's on top of the little darlings that come to the clinic with true vomiting, hi temps or BAs and contact #s have been changed, they're not taking calls at this time or goes straight to voice mail. I've sent the SRO to their homes, yet there's no answer at the door either. Is anyone else dealing with this?

[SnowyJ, RN]

Your job as a parent does not end when you drop Janie or Johnny off at school. There should ALWAYS be someone available to address issues that pop up during the school day. I don't think returning a phone call within 30 minutes is unreasonable. If you don't have a job where that is possible, you should have contacts listed at school to take your place. What do you expect in an emergency?? If your child has a fever of 104? Has a seizure? Falls off the jungle gym and breaks an arm?

EXACTLY. I am a working mother of three. But the day a staff meeting or work trumps my sick child, it's time to re-evaluate my priorities.

Children get hurt, and they get sick. To live in some little fantasy land that after your child gets on the bus in the AM, you are "off the hook" from 8-3 is total BS!

And if you truly have a job where you cannot be contacted, designate someone who can. Unless you live in Siberia, there should be someone.

Just really tired of this nonsense.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Not being home and not reachable by cell phone when the school nurse calls is not a failure of parenting. It's life.

No parent should be threatened with the police for not returning a call for 2 hours. That is ******* outrageous.

Not everyone has the job/lifestyle to be able to receive and return phone calls within 30 minutes.

And CPS should never, ever be used as a threat. If you suspect abuse or neglect, you call. If you use the threat of a call to get someone to do what you want, there should be consequences for you.

If my school nurse treated me in this manner I would take whatever action I could against her.

If you think it's your job to make enemies of parents, well. Good luck.

Well, AFTER you finish school and have real life working experience in a school where you are considered "in loco parentis" (which means your are responsible for that child in the ABSENCE of their parent), only THEN you can offer up a solution.

When you have a child, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure there a plan A, B, C or D and so on. You do not have right to abdicate your responsibility. The school in its role, must ensure the health safety and well being of all the children in their care, and sometimes that involves call protective services.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

If you have not got a plan B in place or up to date phone # and you child is in an emergent or serious situation what is your suggestion for the school nurse to do? When you take "whatever action against her" and she explains you were unreachable and had no other contact information listed you may find the courts agreeing with the school policy of doing whatever it takes to ensure the child's health and safety are first priority. CPS may even find it interesting that you as the parent think policy is ********* outrageous instead of your child's best interest, safety and health taking precedence over your so busy life.

Boom.

[OldDude]

I think the hornet's nest got stirred up here.

[abc123RN]

I would like to add that the back up contacts should be relatively nearby, same town or state!! Yes I have a VA family that listed parents and grandparents to be contacted...grandparents live in upstate NY!! NO other contacts listed, none!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Not a school nurse BUT I got a new cell phone (and new #) two YEARS ago, and am still getting phone calls for the mother of a child named Riley. From Medicaid, schools, pharmacies.......TWO YEARS and her contact info is not updated.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Not a school nurse BUT I got a new cell phone (and new #) two YEARS ago, and am still getting phone calls for the mother of a child named Riley. From Medicaid, schools, pharmacies.......TWO YEARS and her contact info is not updated.

Well at least Riley will have someone to come and pick him or her up!! Way to be there meanmaryjean!!

[BeckyESRN]

I have one where I call mom(the only contact listed) and some guy answers. I ask for her, he says "wrong number". She calls back somewhere between 2-6 hours later and insists that her phone number has not changed and she has no idea who would have answered her phone. It's a fun game that we like to play:sarcastic:. I love that I can send a text from the school asking to return a call to the nurse. It's way better than a voicemail!

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I have one where I call mom(the only contact listed) and some guy answers. I ask for her, he says "wrong number". She calls back somewhere between 2-6 hours later and insists that her phone number has not changed and she has no idea who would have answered her phone. It's a fun game that we like to play:sarcastic:. I love that I can send a text from the school asking to return a call to the nurse. It's way better than a voicemail!

I only text the parents that I know wont text me after hours for "nursing" advice on the whole family. I will text and even facebook message some parents that I know on a personal level (went to school with). It's quick and easy.

[OldDude]

I only text the parents that I know wont text me after hours for "nursing" advice on the whole family. I will text and even facebook message some parents that I know on a personal level (went to school with). It's quick and easy.

Fortunately, I have a school cell phone that I use for texting information to parents and sending pictures of various injuries, rashes, etc. It stays at school.

[Steffy44]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought this. As nurses are we always reachable within 30 minutes. I may look at my cell phone if I get to the bathroom. Now, if my kid were diabetic I wouldn't be giving them mcgriddles.

[mc3, ASN, RN]

Yes! It seems every year it gets worse. Frustrating!