Staff/faculty

[Bulldogs, CNA, EMT-B]

I know this is a hot topic. How do you handle your staff/coworkers stopping in first thing I think I have fever, I have a headache, should I go home?

3 This morning before 8.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I always tell them that I don't make that call, they're adults and responsible for themselves. There's no such thing as an "excused absence" from work. I do not bear the responsibility of making you take the day off.

The only time I'd consider it is if it seems unsafe for the teacher/adult to be in school - i.e. on the verge of collapse, mental health crisis, and even then, I'd involve admin.

[AdobeRN]

I point them to my thermometer and tell them to help themselves to take their own temp. Same as with any other thing - cut yourself, abrasions, etc etc - I just point to what they may need and tell them to help themselves.

Of course if it is work comp related or something serious I will put my "nurse" hat on but otherwise these people are adults, why do I need to hold their hand while they put a bandaid on their finger or take their temp???

If I am asked about going home - I just tell them "that is up to you".

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

I always say that if they have a health concern, they should contact their Primary Care Provider as soon as they open, or discuss with the Principal their ability to stay in the work environment, as I do not dismiss/excuse adults, you are responsible for yourself.

I mention that fever/vomiting/diarrhea can imply numerous things and that they can potentially be contagious, but I am not here to diagnosis, so if there is anything suspect, PCP or a walk-in clinic are great options.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

If they show me a fever over 100 or explain that they have s/s that I'd send a student home for, then I usually tell them they should go home, but I also remind them that they are adults capable of making their own decisions. If it makes me look like a good egg for "giving them permission" to go home, then why not? So often I have to be the bad cop in the good cop bad cop scenario

[Eleven011]

I frequently have staff stopping in for temp checks, throat/ear checks, blood pressures, bandaids, etc. I don't mind helping them if I'm not really busy, it goes along ways in building a good rapport so when I need something from them, they are usually willing to help me out. And if they ask about going home I just stick with a "depends on how bad you feel" kind of opinion.

[ARN]

I'll give them my opinion but they are the ones who have to figure out coverage for their classroom. I am not the deciding factor. my office is right next to the copy room/tech office for students and staff so I get a so many pop in's to chat and I am the dumping ground for all medical questions/concerns for everyone.

honestly a lot of the staff work through a lot because it is more work for them to find a sub and get their classes back on task when they return. If they come to me they are usually feeling like death warmed over and just want/need that extra nudge to make the decision to ask their peers to cover and tell our principal they gotta go home.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I don't make the call because our instructional assistants who are on thin-ice attendance-wise will use it as an excuse... "But the nurse told me to go home!"

[linda1959]

Fever, possible pink-eye, or something blatantly concerning, I will speak to the principal for them. Anything else, I tell them to go to admin.

Today's gem: "do you think this is psoriasis? I get it every winter for the past 5 years."

Me: "Doesn't matter what I think. You need to see a dermatologist."

Honestly, it looked like dry skin . . . .

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

I have been getting the "What do you think about my coumadin/lithium/thyroid/etc. levels?"

I'm sorry. I am not your doctor. I cannot interpret lab results for the purposes of diagnosis/treatment. Also, did it not occur to you that I work in a school with CHILDREN because my specialty is PEDIATRICS?

[tining, BSN, RN]

Doesn't help that I am "insurance rep" for my campus. Questioned about spouse now on medicare and what would be best for them? I don't know - just pick one of the choices of insurance for the love of God.

Also had a teacher/parent tell the front office her student had fever - did not . . .

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Depends on the staff. Chronic complainers get a cursory check (whilst sitting and waiting because I got meds to pass at 0800) or get told to please return at (time that is convenient for me), or just call your doctor.

Depends on what they look like. We all have that nursing spidey sense that tells us when someone looks "wrong."

If it's a pregnant staffer I will accommodate because there's little I can do but I want to do what I can. Personal choice on my part.

Everyone is told to check in with the admin to whom they report. I will do the checking in if I'm about to send someone out via family member or EMS. And rarely do I send out the temp checks!