What happens in the nurse's office stays in the nurse's office

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Specializes in medical, peds, telemetry, school nursing.

Hello all, and thanks in advance for the advice you share every day. How do you politely NOT answer a Nosy Parker kiddo who persists in asking why another student is in the nurse's office?

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Specializes in School Nurse.

"I can't talk to you about Katie, and I can't talk to Katie about you."

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I've always been straightforward with the kiddos. "Because of privacy laws, I can't share details about anyone's visit to the health office." I say it to teachers too.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Not in a school setting (man I admire you guys!), but I have no problem telling the persistant kids in the ER "none of your business, people deserve their privacy". Also, "it's not polite to stare".

I'm really good at "cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, EVERY time".

Boggles the mind at how many parents seem surprised at teaching basic courtesy; although some say "thank you!"

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

If a kid asks another kid directly, I tell kid #2, "You don't have to say if you don't want to," and then tell kid #1 that what goes on in here is private.

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Specializes in kids.

High school kids here

If I told you I would have to kill you...

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.
If a kid asks another kid directly, I tell kid #2, "You don't have to say if you don't want to," and then tell kid #1 that what goes on in here is private.

Exactly this.

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Specializes in school nursing/ maternal/child hospital based.
High school kids here

If I told you I would have to kill you...

Im back working with littles . I miss being able to say stuff like this!!! Love it!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

NONEYA.

None of your business. Move along. Nothing to see here.

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Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.

I tell them," That's not for me to share, that's Billy's decision. If he wants to tell you, that's fine, but if he doesn't that's fine too. Just like you may not want to tell everyone why you came in to see me."

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Specializes in school nurse.
Im back working with littles . I miss being able to say stuff like this!!! Love it!

Then say "If I told you, I'd have to make you eat spinach..."

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Specializes in CPN.

"Don't be nosy" and "That's none of your business."

A half joking "Don't be nosy" usually does the trick, but I'll break it down to them as it being illegal for me to share private medical information, if they won't stop.

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