Tummy ache...

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Specializes in Sub-Acute, School Nursing, Dialysis.

One of the best things about working in a small school is that I get to know these students pretty well. I also have a ton of frequent flyers. So one of my usual ones came in this morning with the same old complaint of her belly hurting. Took her temp, gave water, set up the heating pad. Asked the typical questions, what did you eat for breakfast, when did you last poop, etc. But I could tell this was more nerves. So I asked her what was going on today in class and how it is Valentine's Day which means you can't get sick because of all the fun that will happen in class. She broke down and said that she left her Valentine cards in her dad's car and the secretary wouldn't let her call home. I get that, the secretary doesn't want to have the students use the phone if they forgot something. She's tough. But my mommy heart broke so I whipped out construction paper that I have in my office and we decorated 16 little cut up pieces of paper with stickers and she signed her name in less than 10 minutes. The teacher was so thankful because apparently she was so upset that she couldn't focus in class. Glad that I was able to make her day a little better.

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Specializes in school nurse.

If only you could pass out valentine's saltines, you could kill two birds with one cracker...

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Nice...very nice!! :).

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This is the kind of stuff that makes me love my job! It's moments like that one that just stick with you (and probably that little girl too!) forever! I made a Valentine box for a first grader my first year here and it made such a difference to her and made her so happy.

Way to go, momto5RN, you rock!

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You totally rock!!!! School nurses often go above and beyond!! Often there is something else going on other than the typical "I have a headache" or "I have a stomach ache". When, we are able to figure that out and help make that difference in that kid's life it's definitely amazing!!

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*Note* to self keep construction paper in my office if I start working in an elementary school. Right now I work high school. Trying to get moved to a elementary school.

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

That was awesome. Thanks for the smile.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

You are awesome. I meanwhile sent my frequent flyer back to class SIX times between 9 and 10:30 am. This kid comes to see me multiple times per day, always a stomach ache, never ends up being anything else. I did all the usuals, she still had her normal little smirk on her face each time she came in. At 10:45 am, I walk by the bathroom and see her in there on the toilet, vomit everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, diarrhea all over herself as well. Guess who doesn't feel awesome today? But I did clean her up so I guess I did my penance...

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Sometimes the compassionate parent actually comes out in me. I have a letter saved on my computer I have occasional use for. Sometimes a kid will come in, some of them crying,...they had a tooth come out and they lost the tooth. I keep little treasure boxes for lost teeth. So, I'll whip out my saved letter, which is on school letterhead and my signature on the bottom, and fill in the blanks as needed..."Dear Tooth Fairy, So and so's tooth came out at school today but she lost it. I know you'll understand." I tape an empty treasure box onto the letter and send it home with the kid.

One time I did this for a child who was being raised by a gay dad. The kid came back the next day and told me, with a straight face, dad said there wasn't a such of thing as a tooth fairy; it is a tooth elf. I said... well thanks for letting me know.

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You made that kid's day!

One time I did this for a child who was being raised by a gay dad. The kid came back the next day and told me, with a straight face, dad said there wasn't a such of thing as a tooth fairy; it is a tooth elf. I said... well thanks for letting me know.

Cute. I wonder why the distinction?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
You made that kid's day!

Cute. I wonder why the distinction?

The dad is close to my age so I'm thinking he recalled the era when "fairy" was one of the negative connotations attached to gay men.

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