I typically don't mind "difficult" parents. Most of the time I can sympathize because I understand anger mostly comes from parental concern. But flat out - rudeness - (screaming, cursing, etc.) is what I HATE about this job.
Why do some people think that they can treat us the way they do? Very recently, an incident occurred in a class and a student ended up falling and bumping her head on a chair. Another classmate pulled out the chair as she was going to sit down. She was asymptomatic and I called her mother to update her and notify her from a medical standpoint. Well, mom was more concerned with the fact that another student pulled out the chair. Of course I understand this! I told mom that I was unsure if it was intentional or an accident, the student herself told me she "didn't know," and that her teacher would be the one to handle any behavioral issues.
Well, I guess I came off as too friendly or nonchalant... mom yells "why are you laughing?! you're the f****** nurse?!" I'm kind of shocked at this point. I definitely was not laughing. I am aware that I have a sunny disposition, and since the little girl was still standing right next to me, my tone could have certainly come across as lighthearted. And initially I felt awful, apologized for the misunderstanding and assured mom that I did take this situation seriously. The women did not accept my apology and proceeded to curse and scream at me for several minutes, threatened a lawsuit ?, and demanded that she speak with the principal to report me. I said that of course I could transfer her to the principal... I just happy to get her off the phone so I could go cry in the bathroom ?
What the heck???? Maybe next time I should have the teacher contact a parent first when an incident like this happens. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this stuff happen to them. But man o man does this make me want to leave school nursing.... okay venting over!
YES! - I had a nurse parent stand in my office and say to my face "oh, I should get a cake job like this"
?
yes, she did
oh h*ll no!
"Ma'am, I invite you to do so. Virtually every district in this state has multiple openings for nurses; in fact there are a critical number of unfilled positions. You too can enjoy these conversations for this salary!"
I can't tell you the number of times I've heard of parent nurses who are like "Oh yes! I'd love to sub on my days off! It will still feel like a day off!" and then they come to shadow for a day and are like "OH HELL NO".
This job is no joke and people need to start realizing that.
On 9/17/2021 at 11:16 AM, pineappleupsidedowncake said:
I typically don't mind "difficult" parents. Most of the time I can sympathize because I understand anger mostly comes from parental concern. But flat out - rudeness - (screaming, cursing, etc.) is what I HATE about this job.
Why do some people think that they can treat us the way they do? Very recently, an incident occurred in a class and a student ended up falling and bumping her head on a chair. Another classmate pulled out the chair as she was going to sit down. She was asymptomatic and I called her mother to update her and notify her from a medical standpoint. Well, mom was more concerned with the fact that another student pulled out the chair. Of course I understand this! I told mom that I was unsure if it was intentional or an accident, the student herself told me she "didn't know," and that her teacher would be the one to handle any behavioral issues.
Well, I guess I came off as too friendly or nonchalant... mom yells "why are you laughing?! you're the f****** nurse?!" I'm kind of shocked at this point. I definitely was not laughing. I am aware that I have a sunny disposition, and since the little girl was still standing right next to me, my tone could have certainly come across as lighthearted. And initially I felt awful, apologized for the misunderstanding and assured mom that I did take this situation seriously. The women did not accept my apology and proceeded to curse and scream at me for several minutes, threatened a lawsuit ?, and demanded that she speak with the principal to report me. I said that of course I could transfer her to the principal... I just happy to get her off the phone so I could go cry in the bathroom ?
What the heck???? Maybe next time I should have the teacher contact a parent first when an incident like this happens. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this stuff happen to them. But man o man does this make me want to leave school nursing.... okay venting over!
Once they start screaming and/or swearing I interrupt and say I'm hanging up until they can talk to me with respect. Then I do it and notify admin. I understand anger but I'm not paid enough to deal with screaming parents.
Yes, I defer the call to the administrator if it gets to the point of yelling. Fortunately, mine are very supportive of that (and more thick skinned about being yelled at).
If I suspect a parent is going to be irate, I will occasionally try to plan the call so that another staff person can be present - whether it be the principal, adjustment counselor, SpEd liaison, or admin asst. I'll make the call on speaker phone and let them know another person is present, and that usually tempers things. Doesn't help when the parent calls you out of the blue but it could be helpful if giving crummy news!
If I suspect a parent is going to be irate, I will occasionally try to plan the call so that another staff person can be present - whether it be the principal, adjustment counselor, SpEd liaison, or admin asst. I'll make the call on speaker phone and let them know another person is present, and that usually tempers things.
It's also helpful to have a witness for those "he said/she said/they said" complications that can come out of these interactions...
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oh h*ll no!
"Ma'am, I invite you to do so. Virtually every district in this state has multiple openings for nurses; in fact there are a critical number of unfilled positions. You too can enjoy these conversations for this salary!"