This vent is pretty common but I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience with the teachers or other staff at their school.
I am a new school nurse this year and I am also relatively young-- in my late 20's. I'm not married and I don't have any children. I noticed pretty quickly that a lot of the teachers who ARE parents tend to undermine my judgment when it comes to the calls I make and the care I provide. A few examples:
1) A third grade student came to my office c/o nausea. No fever, ate breakfast. I let her rest for a few minutes and she said she was feeling better. Off she went, through the main office to the cafeteria because it was faster that way. Well, one of the secretaries comes in and says "you can't just let sick kids parade through the office. I don't want to get sick." or something to that effect. I explained to her that the student wasn't sick, afebrile, etc and her response was "I'm a mom. I can tell when a kid is sick and that kid had no business walking around the office."
I had NO idea having a child automatically made you an RN! I could have saved a lot of money by skipping college and just getting pregnant!
2) A second grader with a previously sustained broken arm was c/o pain. I administered Tylenol as per our standing medicine orders and gave her an ice pack. I also called mom and she was satisfied with my treatment. About an hour later, her teacher came bursting into my office like the Kool-Aid man demanding to know "what else could be done" about the pain the student was complaining about because "whatever I did earlier wasn't helping." I explained to the teacher that I gave the student a PRN dose of Tylenol and an ice pack. I called mom and other than that, there really wasn't much else to be done. The teacher then asked if she could have a second dose of Tylenol and I said no. She said "Well, if it was my child I would just give her another dose. The first one didn't work."
I fear for her child's liver.
I don't get it! I understand that having a child is great experience with all the illness and booboos that come with childhood. What I don't understand is why these teachers are acting like their parenting skills somehow overpower my 4 years of college, bachelor's degree, national licensure and almost 4 years of experience. Maybe it's because I am a little younger than the previous nurse at my school (like 35 years younger...) or maybe they just assume I am inexperienced with ALL nursing because I am new to the school. Whatever. All I do know is if I busted into their classroom (OH YEAH) and started telling them how to teach multiplication or run the front office, I would be escorted off the premises faster than you can say "Acute hepatic failure r/t acetaminophen overdose"
I'm done now. The school day is over and I have my childless house to get to...
. About an hour later, her teacher came bursting into my office like the Kool-Aid man demanding to know "what else could be done"
I can see it!!!
Yes, I too hate being second guessed. I have learned to ignore it. What bugs me is "my teacher says I have a fever." Or "my teacher says I don't look good." 9 times out of 10, the kids are just tired!
I got a note from a teacher yesterday, kid that handed it to me is a FF. The note said "please send him home he never complains"...lady you send this kid at least twice a day everyday!!! This is the same teacher, that every time I try to talk with her about a student she has to tell me all about how her kids is soooo much sicker than any kid in her class. (the nurse at his school is so tired of this same teacher calling her all the time, usually for nothing serious)
I'm so with you on this post! Sometimes I think no matter what we say they won't listen. I had a special needs kindergartner last week diagnosed with a minor case of impetigo on his face. His 1:1 aide was so freaked out that, despite having no symptoms or any sign of a rash at all, left work early and made an appointment with her PCP so that they could "test her skin to make sure she wasn't infected".
Former teacher here, emphasis on the word former. I have worked at a whole bunch of schools as a nurse, too, and let me assure you that there is a case of martyritis at every single one. You need a standard phrase, such as, "I have professionally evaluated this medical situation," or "I agree with your concern, but this situation has been appropriately handled per policy" OR "Um, where did you get your nursing license, teacher?"
I'm so with you on this post! Sometimes I think no matter what we say they won't listen. I had a special needs kindergartner last week diagnosed with a minor case of impetigo on his face. His 1:1 aide was so freaked out that, despite having no symptoms or any sign of a rash at all, left work early and made an appointment with her PCP so that they could "test her skin to make sure she wasn't infected".
EGADS. And then there are those who think you are the Lice Whisperer.
Smile kindly and when they turn their back a big raspberry! Makes me feel good. "I value your opinion, but at this time my assessment shows blah, blah, blah." Hang in there, and few teachers & other staff realize it's about the kids - not them.
I have to say every time I'm having a bad day whether it's parents, teacher, students, or adminstrators I just come to this forum and makes me feel better! Its hard when you don't have someone in the same profession/specialty to share your gripe. Last year was my first year as a school nurse. This year I think I have earned majority of the staff's trust. They go on my lead and valuable my professional opinion. It helps when the principal asks you to read and sign off on his PPD in front of the main office staff. Other schools in my district the teachers and principals are not so nice to the nurse.
I just love you guys and you have my utmost respect. Regardless of anything else I read here on AN, I always come to your forum to be impressed, surprised, moved, mood lightened, etc.
But when I read this post, I couldn't help but wonder how do you guys deal with all the noseybodies re HIPAA (only you have something else, I think? FERPA?)? You can't really disclose info yet the impulse is to explain your actions.
I do like that comment "and what nursing school did you graduate from?. But boy, would that raise a few hackles and you still have to work with those people.
Just FYI - I had an MD REALLY spout that comment to me when I questioned a high dose telephone order at 2a for one of my very elderly geri pts. I dragged my feet carrying out the order and was ready to call my DON when he called me back a few minutes later to decrease the order. I just said, 'thank you very much'.
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.
tranquillight- While she was at the doctor, I hope she got that impetigo vaccine. You know... since she was going there requesting things that don't exist. What a doofus.
a big raspberry! Makes me feel good. "I value your opinion, but at this time my assessment shows blah, blah, blah." Hang in there, and few teachers & other staff realize it's about the kids - not them.
SnowyJ, RN
844 Posts
Yes, I too hate being second guessed. I have learned to ignore it. What bugs me is "my teacher says I have a fever." Or "my teacher says I don't look good." 9 times out of 10, the kids are just tired!