I'm a school nurse and I'm going crazy! I feel as if some kind of mass hysteria has settled over this school, and it's not the kids. It's the staff! I'd like to hear some thoughts about one of my current situations.
One staff member (we'll call her Becky), was diagnosed with a seizure disorder and does not have it under control at all. My issue is, school has only been in session for a few months and during that time, I've responded to Becky's office roughly ten times. Most of the time, Becky describes an aura and nothing happens. Sometimes she asks me to check her vital signs. What is that going to do?
Generally when Becky has these episodes she'll report to me that she neglected to eat breakfast and lunch. She basically lives off of energy drinks and pop. It eventually came out that she is taking all of her meds PRN, even her long-term medications that take weeks to a month to take effect/ reach therapeutic levels. She ONLY takes her medication when she feels like she's going to have a seizure. I very politely explained to her that the medications needed time to take effect and that wasn't going to work, then it happened: she had a full blown seizure at school. ...then it happened again, and again.
I definitely don't want to be insensitive. I care about all of our staff and students; I want her to be safe. In this instance, I don't feel like she's holding up her part of the bargain. The district is very flexible and supportive, which I think is wonderful, but at what point shouldn't this person take some accountability? This is a grown adult being noncompliant in a situation that has serious consequences. Students are constantly on edge, and I'm constantly having to leave my office to run to the aid of this teacher. I'm glad to help, but I can't help but feel like these situations would be completely avoidable if she would just eat breakfast and take her medicine like the MD ordered.
This made me LOL!! Hey, if she doesn't like the pillows maybe you could get a football helmet from the coach and have it handy to slip on when a seizure is imminent? I'm really sorry you are stuck in this mire, but it sounds like typical school administration mumbo jumbo word salad.
I'm cracking up over here!! Exactly OldDude!! Bet she will rather have the pillows!!
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
The director insisted that there's nothing we can do, and we must accommodate her or she could "sue us."
That is complete garbage. You were hired to care for the students, not the staff. I am in a similar situation, working in corrections. We care for the inmates, but provide only emergency care and occasionally education for the staff. We are not legally responsible for what happens to staff medically.
Time to get real with Becky. I'd say "Gosh, this condition seems complicated and I think you need a higher level of care than what I can provide for you." I worked in schools for several years and I think it's unreasonable to treat you like her family MD, especially when she's on the job! Is there a way to meet with your admin and discuss the situation (in an anonymous way of course). The nurse-patient relationship is NOT for the staff at your school! She's noncompliant and time for that to be a problem for urgent care or the emergency room. Not to mention it is wrong for her to put her students in this situation.
My experience with admin is when you present a scenario and say "liability, unsafe, etc" their ears prick up. On the sinister side: is there any part of you that thinks maybe she enjoys this attention?
Just WOW!!!! I really believe that if "Becky" ever does leave your school, she will probably come work at mine and fit in just fine.
I find teachers get younger, needier, more attention seeking, entitled every year, I have so many that cannot even clean a simple scratch and apply a band-aid. Can you do it for me??? No, you are a grown person - do it yourself!!
Not sure I can offer any advice other than what the rest of our awesome peers have stated.
So sorry you are dealing with this. It takes a toll on you as the only medical person in the building. Good luck!!
I also am not a school nurse, but perhaps a care plan could be negotiated. If she feels unwell, she is not safe or appropriate to stay at the school. She can call for a ride home, and then come to the nurses' office for privacy while she waits for her ride. If she cant find a ride, call 911. But she cant stay at the school for care. (The school and the nursing department are not "covered" for that type of care is what I would say.) I'd set a maximum time that she could rest in the nurses' office as well, so you can become available to see kids.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I think no less than the full meal deal is warranted for her serious medical problem. Next time she shows up "feeling like she's going to have a seizure" she needs to have the football helmet placed on her head, lie down on the cot with her special side rails up, have her designated staff "buddy" of the day summoned to sit with her until EMS arrives.
Once her special "seizure safety protocol" is in place, you go about your business attending to the students. Her special buddies are going to get sick of the frequent disruptions, she'll start getting bills from EMS and the whole thing will start to get old.
Here's another thought: does she drive? If she has a poorly controlled seizure disorder, the DMV really needs to be notified.
WOW, she needs a psychiatrist, she is craaazzzzyyyyy!!!!
I agree with the others, what does your principal say? Surely she must get a lot of complaints from students, teachers and parents...Also, I would call HR and let them know, this is NOT your job. I can't believe that your nursing supervisor is not supporting you on this. Because what will happen when a student is injured and you are not available because of taking care of fake Becky, and the parents sue?? You can spin this many other ways. Good luck!
3peas
199 Posts
Can I like this 100 times?