Talking to the masses...

peacockblue · Aug 26, 2017

I let them know the med policy and that it is ok to carry their own inhalers or epi-Pens but I still need paperwork. I request-beg even- that they not call their parents to take them home sick then he parent shows up to my office and I have no idea what is going on. I would rather they didn't call their parents at all, but Let me assess them and make the call, but that is a losing battle. I let them know they can only rest in my office for 1 period if they feel ill, then they need to go home or back to class. That is a losing battle too because the athletes like to get a couple hour nap before games and can't go home and still play, but I try. I have very little admin support with my office rules because admin is afraid of the parents. But I give it a good try every year. :)

kummerspeck · Aug 26, 2017

I've talked with my admin about the kids using their cell phones to call home and ask parents to pick them up. School policy says they can't use their cell phone at school, so they can get in trouble for that when they do it, but at least I know my admin knows and agrees that I need to hear about this when it happens. Thanks for your advice! Both talks are supposed to be short and sweet, so I'm going to try to just throw in the most important topics.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Aug 28, 2017

I would give them a chat on when you should come to the nurse, and when it's best to stay in class. I did this with each individual class (as we aren't allowed to have assemblies) and told them something along the lines of this:

If you have a stomachache, make sure you've eaten, make sure you've tried to poop, those are the first things I will ask you. If you've done those things and it still hurts, come see me.

If you have a headache, make sure you've eaten. Drink water. Take a short break from reading/writing. If you've done those things and it still hurts, come see me.

If you injured a body part at home and have not told a parent, then don't tell me. I cannot take you to the doctor.

If you've had a sore throat for three days and have not told a parent, then don't tell me. I cannot take you to the doctor.

I DO NOT pull teeth (school nurses have been sued). So don't ask.

Do any of you play sports? (Many raise hand) If you are playing basketball and fall down or get bumped, do you stop the game for an ice pack? (Collective no's). Okay, if you fall down or get bumped here, think to yourself, Is this something I would stop the game for? If the answer is no, stay in class.

If you are at recess or PE and come to me for an ice pack, you will sit out of recess or PE. If you come to me during class for an ice pack, you will return to class with the ice pack.

WASH YOUR HANDS

I love seeing you, but after you've come to my office twice a week for months, I stop believing you as soon as you walk through the door, which is how appendicitis almost got missed last year.

Make sure that you are actually sick if you come see me because there are actually sick kids in my office and you are risking getting sick.

There was probably other stuff and I was nicer than I sound here of course.

WineRN · Aug 28, 2017

I DO NOT pull teeth (school nurses have been sued). So don't ask.

Really?! I get asked all the time and I have always said no because I am convinced they would accidentally bite me... I had no idea it could even have legal ramifications.

Eleven011 · Aug 28, 2017

Really?! I get asked all the time and I have always said no because I am convinced they would accidentally bite me... I had no idea it could even have legal ramifications.

Oklahoma dental board investigating Tulsa private school's 'Tooth Fairy' | Homepagelatest | tulsaworld.com

This story went around a while back. Pretty silly, but I'm not going to risk it.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Aug 28, 2017

Oklahoma dental board investigating Tulsa private school's 'Tooth Fairy' | Homepagelatest | tulsaworld.com
This story went around a while back. Pretty silly, but I'm not going to risk it.

Ugh. I just searched FOREVER for this dang article. LOL

Yeah, I'm not risking it either. There is a teacher here that will pull teeth and it drives me crazy. A student will come and ask me to, I will say no and they will ask where Mrs. So-and-so's room is because she does. Nope, not telling you.

To me, I have to fill out an accident report over every flipping scratch, so NO! I will not tell you where you can find a teacher to rip a tooth out of your skull... But our principal (who enforces these accident report policies) will. :banghead: