Tummy ache...

[momto5RN]

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.

[kidzcare]

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.

Ah, I see. There are boy fairies, right? At least I think there are on the Winx show that my 8 year olds love so much.

[NanaPoo]

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.

I love the letterhead note to the tooth fairy (or elf!) I have tooth necklaces and the kids frequently open the necklace to show off their and literally lose the tooth...on the playground, in the lunchroom wherever. I warn them not to keep opening the necklace & show it off but do they listen? NOOOO!

I'm definitely going to write an official letter to the nocturnal-tooth-thief.

[Amethya]

I guess I'll do that too! Sounds like a good thing to have if the child lost the tooth at school, but it's rare since I give them necklaces to hold their teeth in.

[DTWriter]

If only school nurses during my time were as cool as you, OP.

I probably would have pursue a nursing career a lot sooner

Side note: You just gave a little girl a great story to use for nursing school admission (if she remembers). Nice!

[ProperlySeasoned]

Holistic nursing at it's best! Way to use your assessment skills. Bravo from a non school nurse.

[oceanblue52]

This is heartwarming, you are an awesome nurse!

[DEgalRN]

Ah, you made my smile, thank you!

[momto5RN]

Aww, thank you guys!!! I'm still new in this nursing game but I have been a mommy for ten years now and before I became a nurse I was a former preschool teacher. So when she told me this, my heart broke for her. Especially since the night before I was working with my own kiddos making valentine's for their classmates. Takes a lot of work! :)

[momto5RN]

*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.

Yes, definitely!! I also have a big pack of crayolas, old books left from the previous nurse and a ton of stickers. You never know when a student's parent can't pick up right away and they need to wait in your office until they come. It also helps with screenings and gives the kids something to do while waiting or if a student has anxiety, I'll let them color a picture. Usually makes them feel better to head back to class. I only use it for those cases though, I already have enough frequent flyers as it is. They can't wait till art class to color!