Tips for school nurse at high school?

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I've just started subbing this year, but have only subbed at the lower grade schools. Next month the high school nurse is going to need me more often. I'm really nervous about the older kids for some reason. Any tips on what you've dealt with and how you handle it? With the little ones who have a fever or lice, I call the parent and they come to pick them up.......but what about a high school kid who drives himself to school and needs to be sent home? Any tips on how to better know if they are faking it, etc? I love this group and am steadily reading posts daily!

Me three! Love 'em AND my middle schoolers. Bring on the puberty, periods, tampon/pad request (along with perceived-death-by-cramps), sex questions, sometimes poor life choices, sports injury & concussions, and transitions to college.

When I see them graduate and enter the world, I tear up a bit hoping at the very least they will remember that colds don't equal death (or skipping your AM college class), ladies always keep a spare pad/tampon in your bag, and where one can get a condom and/or tested for STIs if needed.

You are my peeps.

Love the preggos, too.

I have to say, I'm a little mushy. I'll send kids home more easily than it sounds like a lot of you do.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
You are my peeps.

Love the preggos, too.

I have to say, I'm a little mushy. I'll send kids home more easily than it sounds like a lot of you do.

Far -- mushy?? Say it isn't so??!!:sarcastic: (purple rollie-eye guy, again :yes:)

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Far -- mushy?? Say it isn't so??!!:sarcastic: (purple rollie-eye guy, again :yes:)

Don't tell anyone.

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Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

I sure won't. I am sure no one else will. Shhhh.:locktopic: :cautious:

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Specializes in Pedi.
Me three! Love 'em AND my middle schoolers. Bring on the puberty, periods, tampon/pad request (along with perceived-death-by-cramps), sex questions, sometimes poor life choices, sports injury & concussions, and transitions to college.

When I see them graduate and enter the world, I tear up a bit hoping at the very least they will remember that colds don't equal death (or skipping your AM college class), ladies always keep a spare pad/tampon in your bag, and where one can get a condom and/or tested for STIs if needed.

When I was working per diem at the boarding school, I did once have a teenage girl tell me she was dying because of cramps.

If I were ever to accept a job as a full time school nurse, high school is all I'd want to do. I'll take the teen pregnancies, the eating disorders, the STDs, etc over the boogers of elementary school kids any day.

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My kids tell me when they are going home. By the time they get to me they have usually texted their parent and made arrangements. I used to fight that, but with no admin support that is how it is. But I do LOVE my high school kiddos. I love the drama. I love that they come to me for advice and I love to watch them grow up over 4 years. Elementary is pure torture for me. Days I have to go there are just painful.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
My kids tell me when they are going home. By the time they get to me they have usually texted their parent and made arrangements. I used to fight that, but with no admin support that is how it is. But I do LOVE my high school kiddos. I love the drama. I love that they come to me for advice and I love to watch them grow up over 4 years. Elementary is pure torture for me. Days I have to go there are just painful.

What a diverse group. We're all the same but different - and that covers the needs of all. Hmmm what a concept. I wonder how that could apply to other things. :geek:

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What a diverse group. We're all the same but different - and that covers the needs of all. Hmmm what a concept. I wonder how that could apply to other things. :geek:

Clearly, we all have nothing in common except nursing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, Hospice, School.
Nahh they are just over grown babies! :D Middle schoolers.. Now they scare me!!!

Just curious, why do middle schoolers scare you?

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Agreed! My husband teaches at our middle school so they all want me there... No thank you! I was at my very worst in 7th grade.

edited to say: Oops, thought I quoted someone saying they love their high schoolers!

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