When do you give up?

Published

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

When do you give in? Seriously, when the same kid comes in for the 2nd day in a row with cold s/sx, no fever, no s/sx of infection - oh, and he's a FF (with a serious health condition - but doesn't FF for that). When do you just give in and call mom?

UPDATE:

Never mind, the teacher called mom after sent him back to class and mom came and got him.

I'm just feeling frustrated and defeated today.

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

2nd visit for the same complaint. I used to give it 3 but my patience level has deteriorated. With the kids in the Platinum Level of FF Club, I call on the first visit.

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
Platinum Level of FF Club.

Platinum Level - you must give double points!!!!

I agree with OD. 2nd time down with the same complaint is what I go with too. Even with my FF. However, I won't personally call the parent in these situations if I don't feel a phone call home is needed. I make the kiddos call simply because I'm not recommending they go home and I let the kids know that too. I usually tell them "I will not call home for you because I do not feel you need to go home for [insert complaint]. But YOU can call if you feel you really need to." I've noticed with my set of parents, they're more likely to come get their kiddos if they receive a call from me, so I save those for my kiddos who really need to go home. I assume its because they feel "well, if the NURSE is calling, it must be a real issue...." I hope your day gets better!!!

I agree with OD. 2nd time down with the same complaint is what I go with too. Even with my FF. However, I won't personally call the parent in these situations if I don't feel a phone call home is needed. I make the kiddos call simply because I'm not recommending they go home and I let the kids know that too. I usually tell them "I will not call home for you because I do not feel you need to go home for [insert complaint]. But YOU can call if you feel you really need to." I've noticed with my set of parents, they're more likely to come get their kiddos if they receive a call from me, so I save those for my kiddos who really need to go home. I assume its because they feel "well, if the NURSE is calling, it must be a real issue...." I hope your day gets better!!!

Absolutely! When I worked at the junior high, I would do the same. Have the kid call with the rules that they can report their symptoms, they HAVE to say that they don't have a fever, and they cannot say "I want to go home" or "come pick me up" or anything that means those words. They report symptoms and mom/dad make a decision.

For some kids, I'd call home after I sent them back to class "FYI, Mrs. Parent, I saw Johnny twice today for a stomach ache. He didn't vomit and has no fever. I had him have some crackers and rest but I wanted to make you aware in case he was complaining later today. I will call you if I see him again today"

Specializes in School Nurse.
Specializes in NCSN.

oh no, maybe I'm making a newbie mistake...

Even after the 4th visit, if they are just suffering from acute pretenditis, I send them back to class. I have had a few who have refused to leave the room, and on those I call the parents, explain that their child is fine but doesn't want to leave the office and I need help convincing them to go back to class. There is usually tears but then I don't see them for the rest of the day.

acute pretenditis

Yay for new diagnoses!

Specializes in School.

I have a few Little Darlings, I will not call home. No matter how much they visit, whine, cry, look pitiful or "vomit", but they have built that reputation. Some I will call after the 2nd visit, but that's my not so frequent flyers. My frequent flyers I have sent them back to class and called home. Then once the parent knows they have been in class a while they will leave them here with instructions to call back if they return. Being on the high school campus I have a little more flexibility.

Now when I go to the 1-5 school, I call more often, but I will get with one of the nurses that work the campus daily to see what to do. Those little peoples' moms and daddies can be very protective. They love their babies.

Specializes in retired LTC.
oh no, maybe I'm making a newbie mistake...

Even after the 4th visit, if they are just suffering from acute pretenditis, I send them back to class. I have had a few who have refused to leave the room, and on those I call the parents, explain that their child is fine but doesn't want to leave the office and I need help convincing them to go back to class. There is usually tears but then I don't see them for the rest of the day.

Bolding mine.

I like acute pretenditis.

Must be a precursor to status dramaticus.

Specializes in school nursing; pediatrics.

Another new diagnosis: suckitupitis = what the majority of the kiddos had this past Tuesday after returning from a 3 day weekend. Symptoms may include mild nasal congestion, a stomachache that does not prevent you from running all around during lunch recess, a barely red throat, pain from bumping a part of your body on your desk, or a pimple on the butt!

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..
acute pretenditis

LOVE IT

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