Since we are all talking about secretaries

Published

Specializes in School health, pediatrics.

I literally just found out that my secretary has the missing health records for my new students. She was only giving me a little info at a time and I have no idea why. School started in August. It's November. Why are you holding on to physicals and vaccine dates and my dumb file labels???????

The kicker, is that I sent out letters asking parents to being the information in since I didn't have it, and it was sitting just over there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I literally just found out that my secretary has the missing health records for my new students. She was only giving me a little info at a time and I have no idea why. School started in August. It's November. Why are you holding on to physicals and vaccine dates and my dumb file labels???????

The kicker, is that I sent out letters asking parents to being the information in since I didn't have it, and it was sitting just over there.

POWER???

LAZINESS???

Hmmmm...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WOW!! Did you confront her and ask her why she still had them? That is terrible that you had to take the time to send out letters, and likely annoy parents who had already submitted the information. Nothing annoys me more than when someone loses stuff I have sent in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mine too!!! And we have had volunteers to do some filing so i had to go through every student's folder that I didnt have records for because they didn't leave them out for me. It was ridiculous and I am still trying to play catch up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School health, pediatrics.

So what happened is I got a call from a student who is new from Lebanon. They had turned in the information requested to regstration and the parents could not feasibly get it again due to, you know, the INTERNATIONAL component. So I called my district RN, whom I had complained about all of this missing info and she had been putting it on the registration office. She said check with the secretary and try registration, but we probably won't get it. So I went over and asked, and sure enough she has files for all 40 new students, most of them have my info inside as well as the academic.

She said she didn't want to overwhelm me? I think she didn't realize that I needed it as soon as it comes in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
So what happened is I got a call from a student who is new from Lebanon. They had turned in the information requested to regstration and the parents could not feasibly get it again due to, you know, the INTERNATIONAL component. So I called my district RN, whom I had complained about all of this missing info and she had been putting it on the registration office. She said check with the secretary and try registration, but we probably won't get it. So I went over and asked, and sure enough she has files for all 40 new students, most of them have my info inside as well as the academic.

She said she didn't want to overwhelm me? I think she didn't realize that I needed it as soon as it comes in.

How long have you been at this job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
So what happened is I got a call from a student who is new from Lebanon. They had turned in the information requested to regstration and the parents could not feasibly get it again due to, you know, the INTERNATIONAL component. So I called my district RN, whom I had complained about all of this missing info and she had been putting it on the registration office. She said check with the secretary and try registration, but we probably won't get it. So I went over and asked, and sure enough she has files for all 40 new students, most of them have my info inside as well as the academic.

She said she didn't want to overwhelm me? I think she didn't realize that I needed it as soon as it comes in.

How long have you been at this job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School health, pediatrics.
How long have you been at this job?

Since the first day of school this year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
Since the first day of school this year.

I know it is extremely frustrating, we all get that here. But, some of that takes time, to establish that way you want and need things to be done. It is hard to grasp, and it is pretty tough for a secretary or other school person to really understand how our "nurse brains" work and that we have a reason for "doing our jobs, by the book". Keep on keepin on, communicate...A LOT, about how you want and need things done. Build rapport with the secretary or whoever you deal with the most.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

Awww yes! That takes me back to the year I started and the registar wasn't checking for shot records, (she thought we could get that info later) and the old attendance who is now the principal's secretary would always "forget" to tell me needed info :no:

Since then 4 years ago... It's way better as I have established myself and what I will/won't put up with.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Honestly, I have to say my secretary ROCKS!! She is awesome! She doesn't try to take over and she knows what info I need and gets it to me!

She is also Spanish speaking!!! HUGE help!!

I have worked in buildings before where the secretary is on a power trip and it truly is awful, I feel bad for you guys!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
She said she didn't want to overwhelm me? I think she didn't realize that I needed it as soon as it comes in.

Plus side #1: she KNEW you needed the info! That can be considered a win!

Plus side #2: God love her for considering your sanity and not wanting to overwhelm you. So many people don't consider others like that nowadays ;)

Downside: she created more stress and overwhelmed you more by holding on to them for so long and not informing you she even had them. It really was a double edged sword! Hopefully she'll remember for next time!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion