This always makes me CrAzY...

Published

Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

I love it when parents call the school to complain that I didn't call them to let them know their child had a "stomach ache" First of all, if I called every parent to notify of this complaint, I would get NOTHING else accomplished. Secondly, I travel between 3 schools... I'm not always the one seeing these kids. In this particular instance, that is the case. I didn't even see the kid... UGH!

Specializes in School Nursing.

Some day's you're the windshield........some day's you're the bug !! Lately I am the big , fat, green bug !! Hope things improve for you !!

Praiser

You know I was thinking of making a small form type notice with blanks that I filled in ( or whoever saw the student) with student's name, time of visit, complaint, what was done, etc with a note at the bottom that said we felt student was not ill enough to go home (or something to that affect) to send home with every kid that was seen and treated because of this very same reason. That way the parent is notified (unless the kid loses the note-not my problem because if serious I would call home anyway) and maybe it would take care of some of the frequent flyers if the parent saw how much their kid was coming to the office and take care of parents above . Haven't started one yet due to wondering if some parents would be upset they weren't called anyway and the amount of paper and extra time it would take but it's something to think about.I would put a note on their file to call mom for everything from now on and let her make the decision. Thankfully most parents aren't like that. Just remember you can't please everyone!

Specializes in School Nursing.

I have asked the teachers to start sending home the nurse pass that the student brings to me. I write a brief assessment on it and what I did (Temp 98.0, rest 10 minutes, encouraged to drink water...etc), then it goes back to the teacher who is supposed to send it home with the student. This way the parent knows their child was seen. I almost always call if I see a student more than once in the day, and I have a separate form if there is something I really want the parents to know. It seems to be working so far.

Specializes in school nursing.

My favorite is when i have tried to reach a parent at 416 different non-working phone numbers and then they yell at me for not calling. It gives me great pleasure to pull out the form with their signature on it and show them that I would have if i had a good number. I love the.......ohhhhhhh that escapes quietly from their lips!

oh schoolnursebsn you hit the nail on the head.416 different non-working phone numbers and then they yell at me for not calling. it gives me great pleasure to pull out the form with their signature on it and show them that i would have if i had a good number. i then hear..why didnt you let my son call me from his cell phone he has my new numbers? are you kidding me????????????

Any time a child comes to the health center I am required to send the following note home with the student:

Dear Parent/Guardian:

This note is being sent home for your information. Your child, _____________________________ was seen by the School Nurse in the Nurse's Office on __________________ for the following reason (s):

£ Stomach/Nausea/Vomiting

£ Sore Throat

£ Toothache/Gum Problems

£ Temperature of __________

£ Earache R___ L___

£ Eye Problem R___ L___

£ Headache

£ Cough/ "Cold" Symptoms

£ First Aid

£ Sores/Rash

£ Change of clothes

£ Other

Comments:

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

If his/her condition continues to be a problem, your child should be evaluated by a physician.

Thank you,

School Nurse

Physician's statement if needed:

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________ _______________________________________

Date Signature

Those strange symbols are check boxes on the form. I also keep a copy on my computer for future reference. It's a little bit of work, but at least I have a record that I attempted to communicate with the parents.

I have older students, so am lucky to have fewer upset parents. If I'm unsure if parents might want to be contacted, or if I can't reach them, I send this (Sorry if it's really long! It's in columns on the form):

Your child was seen in the Nurse's Office today for:

_ Abrasion

_Rash

_ Ache/Pain

_Skin

_ Allergy Symptoms

_Sore Throat

_ Bite

_ Stomachache

_Cut

_ Tiredness/Tatigue

_Cough/Cold

_Toothache

_ Eye: right/left

OTHER:

_Fever: ____F

_Injury

_ Headache/Dizziness

_ Nausea/Vomiting

_ Nosebleed

_Pain

Treatment Given:

_ Ice Pack

_ Pressure to stop bleeding

_Band-Aid

_ Area cleaned with soap & water

_ Cold Compress

_ Fluids: Water/Juice

_ Meal/Snack

OTHER:

Recommendations:

_ Please see your doctor/dentist for an

evaluation

_ Keep at home until vomiting has stopped

for 24 hours

_ Keep at home until temperature is normal

for 24 hours

_Update your emergency card for parental

contact (we were unable to reach you).

_ Keep at home until eyes are free of

discharge

_OTHER:

_ Please monitor your child

Please contact your Health Care Provider for evaluation:

_ If your child complains of headache, dizziness, nausea, and /or sleepiness

_If area of complaint becomes swollen and/or very painful.

_ If pain and/or condition continues

_OTHER:

Your child's health record is not complete. We are missing:

_ A physical form for this school year _Vaccinations

Additional Comments:

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