Things you wish you could say to parents.....

[mc3, ASN, RN]

In the same light as other threads here, I'd like to start a new one. Here goes:

1. Please don't tell your 5th grade child to come to the nurse if you don't feel good, and you'll come get them. It's a guaranteed ticket to get out of school early, and it wastes everyone's time (including mine)

2. If your child complains of not feeling good, please keep them home. Nobody else wants their germs.

3. If you don't think I made the right decision regarding your 5th grade frequent-flier child who came down with a "stomachache"; had no fever, looked fine and hadn't been in school but an hour, write me a note telling me to call you. I am not a mind reader or know what's going on with your family. Just write me a quick note saying it's OK to call and we'll be good. You'd be amazed at the # of children who tell me "mom said to call" and Mom knew nothing about it.

4. Please please please. If your child had lice and we give you the information booklet, please use the suggestions in there. Using dog shampoo or kerosene, or ignoring the problem is not helpful, and could in fact be harmful. Don't pay attention to the internet! There are a lot of "remedies" that cost $$$ and will not help!

5. Yes, our district still has a no lice policy. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.

6. No, I don't keep a jar of the little critters in my desk and sprinkle them on your child's hair. Really.

7. No, it's not my job to keep checking for nits in your child's hair. It's your job. You are the P-A-R-E-N-T.

8. Please try and abide by the dress code policy. It really isn't attractive to have your daughter dressed like a --------

or wearing shorts to up yonder.

9. Please, oh please, keep us updated when you get a new cell# or when your contacts get a new#. I have spent countless hours trying to chase you down because your child is sick.

10. Please don't send your child in carrying medication. They are not allowed to carry it. The procedure for meds is in the information we give out at the beginning of the year, is in the student booklet that you signed, and is on the school's web site. Guess what? Some other child might get a hold of it, and then there will be big trouble (happened in our school district)

Ok, that's all I can think of now. You can see what I've been doing this week. And please don't tell me I'm being mean or insensitive. This is only a "things you wish" thread, I've had a lousy week (:) and I'm tired. If there was a cranky icon, I would use it!

mc3

:paw:

[MinnieMomRN]

Okay, I'll play. Here are my additions to the vent list:

11. Well, I'm very sorry that your pediatrician did not notice that your child is missing that 4th dose HIB, 2nd dose varicella, whatever fill in the blank missing vaccination... They are required by law to either have it or have documentation as to why they do not. They have to go back to the pedi's office. That is YOUR pedi's error, not mine!

12. No, I will not accept that Tupperware container full of Ritalin for your child. Sorry to inconvenience you, but I need it in an official pharmacy container.

13. Yes, I understand that now that your child has thrown-up,his stomach feels better. You STILL need to come pick him up, and no, I can't just keep him in the health office until 2pm.

14. Perhaps your emergency contact person who can pick up your child if you are unable to leave work should not be someone who lives 2 hours away? I'm just sayin'...

[tictac]

Please do not send your child to school with that weird rash/deep cut/big cavity/multitude of various aches and pains and tell them to go to the nurse as soon as they get to school to get a diagnosis.

Do not snippily tell me that your kid has allergies, and that's why his eyes are red, or that's why she's vomiting, if you have "no allergies" marked on the health history form. On the same note, don't use the same tone telling me "it's not a rash, it's eczema", when that is also not noted on their history anywhere. If you don't have it marked, I don't know it exists.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

"Your kid may be an honor student, but you're a moron!"

[rdsxfnrn]

^^^^^^ that made me LOL. Thank you

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

[mycsm]

these responses are all amazing, but may I add just one:

have your started your new cycle of birth control?? Or are you insisting on having more kids that you choose not to take care of?

sorry needed to vent

[Meiriceanach]

Your child has had a fever for a half hour, but you didn't give them tylenol because then they wouldn't have a fever when you got here? Wow here's your sign. Please please rotate tylenol and motrin.

[Artistyc1]

Some people should just not be allowed to breed.

[mc3, ASN, RN]

Why did you send your 5 year old child, who had been in the emergency room until 4am this morning with a fever and coughing to school today? Now the poor thing has a 103 degree temp, is coughing non-stop, shivering to beat the band, and I had to call you (oh, sorry, I woke you up?..) BUT you didn't have a way to pick her up. And no, I will not "just put her on the bus"! My principal personally took her home and they "had a talk". I love her!

See No. 8 above.

GRRRRRRRRR!:angthts:

mc3

[crickyRN]

Ha Ha I love these!! I thought this was just my school district. I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone on these!!! You all are awesome!! :yelclap:

[damrcngrl95]

As a teacher I have felt some of your frustrations. I had a child throw-up in class one morning. School started less than an hour before. I asked the child if she had been sick before and she said yes. She had thrown-up before coming to school. I asked if her mother knew this and she said yes. She told her to go to school and call if she started feeling worse. This mom was an RN. I have also had stuff like this happen with teacher's kids too. I felt that they should know better.