Shake it off

I see this at the high school level too. And, since they're older, I try to teach them that they won't be able to lay down for 30 minutes or call mom to come get them when they're at their job out in the real world. Sometimes you gotta hydrate and try to deal with that headache.

While I love my job, and kids coming to me is job security, at times I feel having a school nurse adds to the instant gratification/sense of entitlement kids have these days. A headache that started two minutes ago, a knee that grazed the desk. C'mon now.

Yep! I think many kids will do anything for attention because they don't get any at home. Then the more you give, the more they come back. LOL! Of course there are those that get LOTS of attention at home and just feel so special they want even more. Those are the ones that annoy me the most. I also get annoyed at teachers sending kids for belly aches, headaches, earaches, etc that JUST began 2 seconds ago and the "injuries" that are invisible.

33 minutes ago, OyWithThePoodles said:

While I love my job, and kids coming to me is job security, at times I feel having a school nurse adds to the instant gratification/sense of entitlement kids have these days. A headache that started two minutes ago, a knee that grazed the desk. C'mon now.

Beautiful synopsis of why I am tired, why I am irritated with teachers, and why I feel like I'm swimming upstream most days. Not everything needs an ice pack, sweet pea, but it's easier to give one than to explain this. Come to think of it, this is why we have antibiotic resistance, right?

36 minutes ago, OyWithThePoodles said:

While I love my job, and kids coming to me is job security, at times I feel having a school nurse adds to the instant gratification/sense of entitlement kids have these days. A headache that started two minutes ago, a knee that grazed the desk. C'mon now.

Well said, I often think this. I am full time this year at a school that has always had only a part -time nurse before. The office manager was the stand in and just sent them right back when they complained of silly stuff. As nurses though, we are required to assess / document and that takes so much time away from the nursing specific tasks that need to be done. In a way, it defeats the purpose.

58 minutes ago, EnoughWithTheIce said:

Well said, I often think this. I am full time this year at a school that has always had only a part -time nurse before. The office manager was the stand in and just sent them right back when they complained of silly stuff. As nurses though, we are required to assess / document and that takes so much time away from the nursing specific tasks that need to be done. In a way, it defeats the purpose.

A long time ago I worked almost non-stop around EMTLA rules. You're entitled to an assessment by a qualified professional. That doesn't mean your condition warrants immediate treatment. Which is how I roll as a school nurse.

On 4/18/2019 at 9:15 AM, ruby_jane said:

Beautiful synopsis of why I am tired, why I am irritated with teachers, and why I feel like I'm swimming upstream most days. Not everything needs an ice pack, sweet pea, but it's easier to give one than to explain this. Come to think of it, this is why we have antibiotic resistance, right?

Fortunately for all of us "Ice pack resistance" will never be a thing.

At a "No throat drop" school I had a kid with a sore throat refuse a salt water rinse. Tonsils somewhat swollen, no temp. I said "If you won't do a salt water gargle I have nothing for you, go back to class." I was later thanked by the teacher, "He was avoiding a math worksheet."

On 4/18/2019 at 8:45 AM, Blue_Moon said:

Yep! I think many kids will do anything for attention because they don't get any at home. Then the more you give, the more they come back. LOL! Of course there are those that get LOTS of attention at home and just feel so special they want even more. Those are the ones that annoy me the most. I also get annoyed at teachers sending kids for belly aches, headaches, earaches, etc that JUST began 2 seconds ago and the "injuries" that are invisible.

The teachers that's what I'm trying to figure out. ? Do they send them to us because they are tired of the LDs whining? I've actually had teachers tell me they are "afraid of getting sued if they don't let them come to clinic". Really, it's just a splinter!

On 4/18/2019 at 8:15 AM, ruby_jane said:

Beautiful synopsis of why I am tired, why I am irritated with teachers, and why I feel like I'm swimming upstream most days. Not everything needs an ice pack, sweet pea, but it's easier to give one than to explain this. Come to think of it, this is why we have antibiotic resistance, right?

100% The battle is real. At this point in the year, I feel like I am throwing up the white flag of surrender. Amazing how we can recharge and come back loving it all again after summer break! I crossed the 6,000 nurse clinic visit on Thursday. Still have 28 school days to go. This is a school of 470. I have sent 3% of those visits home, if that tells you anything. No diabetics this year, No seizure kids. UGHGHGHGGHH is all I can say!!!!!

6000 VISITS. Dang. Stay strong.

On 4/22/2019 at 9:57 AM, Cas1in72 said:

100% The battle is real. At this point in the year, I feel like I am throwing up the white flag of surrender. Amazing how we can recharge and come back loving it all again after summer break! I crossed the 6,000 nurse clinic visit on Thursday. Still have 28 school days to go. This is a school of 470. I have sent 3% of those visits home, if that tells you anything. No diabetics this year, No seizure kids. UGHGHGHGGHH is all I can say!!!!!