Stomachache

[MK86, BSN, RN]

Just a vent - I can not explain enough how much I hate when certain teachers send the same kids down multiple times a day for a stomach ache.  Unless you're throwing up, have a fever or are clearly in a lot of pain, you're fine to be in class.  I don't have any magic powers to cure a stomachache.  I feel like these same few teachers don't agree with my assessment.  I told tell you how to do your job, please don't tell me how to do mine.  This is my first year as a school nurse and next year I'm setting major ground rules at the beginning of the year.  

Thank you for letting me rant.

 

[tining, BSN, RN]

Nope, common issues in SN

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

years of experience don't matter.  You'll still be battling this the year you retire.  I feel like I'm playing tennis some days.  Occasionally, I will call the teacher to ask them what they are seeing in class and let them know what I'm seeing.  Sometimes the teacher isn't even aware they are coming and complaining of a stomachache.  Also - I've learned over the years to make the "pre-emptive strike" call to the parent in front of the student.  Them havng the peace of mind that the parent is aware, even if the verdict is to stay in school, often cuts this off.  

[AdobeRN]

1 hour ago, Flare said:

 Also - I've learned over the years to make the "pre-emptive strike" call to the parent in front of the student.  Them havng the peace of mind that the parent is aware, even if the verdict is to stay in school, often cuts this off.  

Every year I always have those couple of teachers that whenever I see their students I just go ahead and call parents - otherwise the kid will be in my office off/on all day or the teacher will call the parent to pick student up (for attendance purposes on my campus they are not supposed to do that - some kids have too many absences and can't go home for illness unless I see them for it to be excused). 

[MK86, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Flare said:

years of experience don't matter.  You'll still be battling this the year you retire.  I feel like I'm playing tennis some days.  Occasionally, I will call the teacher to ask them what they are seeing in class and let them know what I'm seeing.  Sometimes the teacher isn't even aware they are coming and complaining of a stomachache.  Also - I've learned over the years to make the "pre-emptive strike" call to the parent in front of the student.  Them havng the peace of mind that the parent is aware, even if the verdict is to stay in school, often cuts this off.  

Thank you for sharing your experiences (glad it's not just me) and suggestions.  This board has been very helpful this year and appreciate that it is a safe space to vent to people who understand. 

1 hour ago, AdobeRN said:

the teacher will call the parent to pick student up 

I had one teacher do this when they never even sent the kid down to me.  Didn't bring them down until after she had called mom and just plopped him on my bench saying I called his mom he has a stomach ache and she's coming to pick him up....umm OK ?  

[tining, BSN, RN]

8 minutes ago, MK86 said:

I had one teacher do this when they never even sent the kid down to me.  Didn't bring them down until after she had called mom and just plopped him on my bench saying I called his mom he has a stomach ache and she's coming to pick him up....umm OK ?  

Next year - ask admin to let you have time to talk with staff when they are doing their inservice/welcome back sessions.  I have a powerpoint with clinic expectations and I keep it light and I keep it collaborative.  I also tell them - "when you take it upon yourself to call parent to pick up a student without nurse input, then the liability is on you" not that it is, but it sounds scary IMO.

[Lbarba84]

very good tips and suggestions that I totally agree with also after this has been a continued thing with this student I also will tell teacher " mom has said they are fine" so unless theyre throwing up and you can see it do not send them in here and if it happens after that then I would talk to your administrator about having a conference with student and possibly their parent/ guardian I feel like for me this has helped a lot with stomach aches, I still get them but I feel like I have nipped 50% of these in the butt this year

[MK86, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, tining said:

Next year - ask admin to let you have time to talk with staff when they are doing their inservice/welcome back sessions.  I have a powerpoint with clinic expectations and I keep it light and I keep it collaborative.  I also tell them - "when you take it upon yourself to call parent to pick up a student without nurse input, then the liability is on you" not that it is, but it sounds scary IMO.

I'm hoping I'll be able to do that this year. I started two days before school started this year and it was crazy. 

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

The fear of puke is real... I think every teacher has had that kid in the corner who hasn't said a word all day suddenly upchuck and subsequently find out they'd been miserable and keeping it to themselves, so they want to validate any and all complaints and avoid the mess/exposure. What they don't seem to understand is that 9 out of 10 stomach aches are not clinically significant. But the kids are terrified of it, too. I have some kids who are so worried they're going to puke, they make it worse with the worrying.

I'm all about supportive intervention and limit-setting. Sure, come for an eval now, but here is what you're going to do for the rest of the day, and that does NOT include bothering your teacher every 30minutes.