Stupid teachers/principals (vent)!!!

[Nurse ABC]

I'm so frustrated and upset right now! Lunchtime was busy and crazy as usual and I heard one of the office staff say I'm grabbing a bag of ice for a student as she reached in the freezer and took one. I figured it was probably something minor since we know how teachers are.

About 30 min later the teacher brings this student in and says he won't quit crying so I thought I'd bring him in for you to check and you can maybe calm him down because he always cries over everything but I think he's fine. The principal was standing right there and jumps in front of me and starts talking to the kid and teacher.

The teacher says he can move his arm and proceeds to twist his arm all around and the kid grabs it away and starts crying harder and says it really hurts then the principal asks him to move his fingers and lift his arm, etc so I jump in and do a quick assessment and can tell within 5 sec of just looking and feeling lightly with my hand it's probably broken.

I say it needs checked now and he needs to hold it still. The principal says well go ahead and call mom if you want and she can decide if she needs to take him to the dr. What?

Hello-does my opinion mean nothing??? So I call mom and say please come pick your son up-he's been hurt and needs checked-it may be broke. Then the principal asks what mom decided to do so I told her I recommended it be checked and she's taking him to the Dr so she says call and see if it's broken. I said they haven't been gone long enough to know anything-I'll call in a little while. Then she asked me two more times again to call mom so I went ahead so she would quit bugging me and the mom says they haven't taken him to x-ray yet but they think it's probably broke and I'll call and let you know when I find something out if school is still in.

The principal then says well give me her phone number so I can call before school is out (which was in less than a half an hour away.) Hello-I told you it was too soon but maybe being the principal they'll hurry up and find out for you! Uggh !!! Yet, no one hesitated to send down kids with sunburns, a smashed finger from a week ago, a kid whose stomach hurt while running, etc. I just needed to get that off my chest. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone.

Why constantly request a nurse at your school if you're not going to let us do our job in peace!!! I'm so glad this school year is almost up!

[amoLucia]

(Am not familiar with school nsg, politics & protocol therein, but is an incident such as a fracture on school time/property a "sentinel' event", one that is reportable to the State and/or local school board/district and Risk Mgt??? In LTC, our Admin has to report fractures to our state Dept of Heath within 48 (72?) hours with our investigation results. I know that whenever there's an issue of a diagnosed fracture (of witnessed or unknown origin), I am on the phone with my DON so there's no surprise for Admin. And my paperwork is as thorough as poss) They do all the rest. So, is this now a liability issue of the teacher practicing outside the scope of her job description (and practicing nsg without a license?), which caused a delay of diagnosis and treatment? In today's dial 1-800-LAWYER society, the principal may be trying to get info quickly (to CYA) and go up the chain of command with a schmoozing sense of concern for family). Just playing Devil's Advocate because there's been some mishandling of the situation IMHO and:twocents:.

[caregiver1977]

I agree with those that say the principal was trying to cover his/her butt.

[Nurse ABC]

Update: Student did break arm and is out the rest of the year because -get this-if his arm is twisted a certain way it could dislocate and he would require surgery. He's in a cast but I just cringe when I think of the serious damage they almost did to him. At least they feel really bad about the whole situation and hopefully learned this is why it's important to let the NURSE assess injuries but I won't hold my breath.

[ixchel]

Poor kid Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[luv-of-kids]

I wonder if those teachers and principals are concerned about a parent filing a lawsuit (and the teacher being disciplined or losing their job) if the parents find out that their child was seriously injured while under the supervision of the school? Could that be the reason why they are hesitant to send children with more serious injuries? Because they know it will be documented and the parent will be called and informed about what happened?

BINGO!!! You hit the nail on the head!!!,

[amoLucia]

Thank you for the update. Wonder what parents are thinking about?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

(Am not familiar with school nsg, politics & protocol therein, but is an incident such as a fracture on school time/property a "sentinel' event", one that is reportable to the State and/or local school board/district and Risk Mgt??? In LTC, our Admin has to report fractures to our state Dept of Heath within 48 (72?) hours with our investigation results. I know that whenever there's an issue of a diagnosed fracture (of witnessed or unknown origin), I am on the phone with my DON so there's no surprise for Admin. And my paperwork is as thorough as poss) They do all the rest. So, is this now a liability issue of the teacher practicing outside the scope of her job description (and practicing nsg without a license?), which caused a delay of diagnosis and treatment? In today's dial 1-800-LAWYER society, the principal may be trying to get info quickly (to CYA) and go up the chain of command with a schmoozing sense of concern for family). Just playing Devil's Advocate because there's been some mishandling of the situation IMHO and:twocents:.

We always do an accident report that goes to the admin office....if it is a biggie I call. Our superintendant likes to know when EMS comes so I usually pop off a quick email advising the hightlights of the situation, sometimes he gets to me first as the FD drives right by that bldg! To be honest, if every time a kid had a fracture in school ha to be reported tot he state, , the Dept of health would need to open a school nursing office!!! Very different populations, thus very different protocol.