Sometimes Honestly Isn't the Best Policy

Published

Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

Last week I had a student visit me during the last 10 minutes of school. My office at this particular school is the back of the library. The student (who is Special Ed by the way) was already in the library and wanted to see me about a band-aid for a paper cut. The student and I began to chat and he mentioned to me that his mom is a nurse and applied for my job, but didn't get it. Obviously. He then asked me how I got my job. I told him that I applied and interviewed twice, then got the call. He then proceeds to tell me that his mom is thinking about going back to school to become a LVN because she's a CNA. He then asked if that's higher than what I am. My reaction: :wideyed:

I asked him if he's sure that his mom applied for my position (there are no health techs in my District. Just a Nurse). He was 100% sure it was for my job and he didn't know why I got the position over his mom who has "been a Nurse for like forever". So I explained that in California you need to be a RN and have a Bachelor's degree to be a school nurse. I told him that I'm a RN with my BSN and that RN's and LVN's are Nurse's while CNA's are Nursing Assistants so his mom isn't technically a nurse. BIG MISTAKE. His attitude changed so fast it almost gave me whiplash. For what felt like forever, he rambled on about how I'm wrong and his mom is a nurse and I don't know what I'm talking about and the school made a huge mistake hiring me, etc. When the bell rung it was like Angels singing. The student huffed out of my room and I did this :banghead:

Today, that same student sees me walking to the office and gets in my face while yelling about how he spoke to his mom and I'm wrong because she's a nurse and I'm jealous and stuck up because I have a BBM (yeah he said BBM). And that I was probably in the Superintendent's pants and that's the only reason I got the job. Security could not grab him fast enough! I spoke with Administration and explained the last conversation and they had a talk with mom. Mom wanted to talk to me, but Administration refused to let her in the same room as me. Mom took student home for the rest of the day and demanded that the absence is excused. Admin said no.

So. That was my Monday. I hope your day was a little less confrontational. Admin explained to me that sometimes honesty is't the best policy, but that I did nothing wrong. Yay for Mondays :sniff:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry about your Monday. How old is this particular special education student?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

What is BBM?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What is BBM?

Blackberry messenger. That's what I know BBM to be. Lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
What is BBM?

Lol I think he meant BSN but like pookyp said BBM to me means Blackberry Messenger.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
Sorry about your Monday. How old is this particular special education student?

I'm not sure of his exact age, but I am a high school nurse so he's in teen territory.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in kids.

Oh ...My...Word.... well here's hoping Tuesday is a better day!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Everyone I came into contact with yesterday was having a typical Monday. My confrontation was last week. And although I feel like there will be another one today, I really hope not. Hope the rest of your week is smooth like butter!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Geeze! I'm sorry that this student reacted in such a manner. Just try to shake it off!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
Geeze! I'm sorry that this student reacted in such a manner. Just try to shake it off!

Oh I did. I went to the grocery store during my lunchtime and brought red velvet cookies and french vanilla ice cream. I know I wasn't setting a good example by having ice cream and cookies for lunch but it made me feel 1000 times better. Even though some of my coworkers disagree, I'm not mad at the kid or the mom. I understand how "titles" are a big thing in healthcare (although mom is not a nurse) and kids can soak up every little thing parents says to them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some days you just cannot win. I just remind myself of that when I'm having a bad day and move on. Tomorrow will be better!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
Oh I did. I went to the grocery store during my lunchtime and brought red velvet cookies and french vanilla ice cream. I know I wasn't setting a good example by having ice cream and cookies for lunch but it made me feel 1000 times better. Even though some of my coworkers disagree, I'm not mad at the kid or the mom. I understand how "titles" are a big thing in healthcare (although mom is not a nurse) and kids can soak up every little thing parents says to them.

I get that- i have a few kids that swear on a stack of Weekly Readers that their one parent is a doctor or a lawyer or Indian chief only to find our that mom is really a dietary clerk or dad is a judicial aide or what have you... i take it all with a big grain of salt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion