Where to turn

bergren · Jun 11, 2004

I am assuming this is the same nurse for all three incidents. Did you contact her? Are you certain the person is a nurse, with a license, not just a untrained person who "mans" the health office?

I am assuming that your daughter is not a frequent visitor to the health office. Many times a temp can rise rapidly and may have been normal when your daughter was in the health office. Having said that, issue numbers 1 & 2 may show a lack of assessment when a student presents with a complaint. If a registered nurse fails to conduct a proper assessment, it is a serious shortcoming, potential negligence if it resulted in injury if the person is truly a licensed professional, but it would not be surprising if it is a lay person. I would ask who the supervisor is and ask to speak to them. It is better if you have first told nurse about the misdiagnoses also. If the person does have a license, this might be a problem with burnout, seeing too many kids who are malingering for avoidance reasons. The school pays the bucks for a professional specifically for this ability to do an assessment and not be blinded by some kids trying to get out of class.

Item 2 about color of blood and hygiene issues, It is not inapporpriate for a student to ask for the references, the evidence that this is the correct answer. I am curious about the exact wording of the question about blood - it appears she was referring to unoxygenated blood, which is a darker, purple red than arterial blood which is a very bright red. (Could she be joking about blue blood? Blue blood is a colloquialism for people born into money.) I checked a couple of dental sites and the gist is the following: Brushing is recommended twice a day for at least three to four minutes each time. It is better to brush 3 to 4 minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly five or more times throughout the day.

I have a question for the school nurses out there. Where would one voice a complaint about a school nurse? I have had three "strange incidences this year with my daughter.
1. Received a call from the school nurse stating my daughter(11) was pretending to be sick because of a test in the afternoon, she didn't want to take and I need to pick her up. I did, (the nurse had left for the day) and it was very evident that she was sick and upon arrival at home her temp was 103.8
2. During health class, I see a test which my daughter took. Questions like this: what color is blood- She marked Red- Nurse says Blue is right answer
How many times should you brush your teeth She marked three, nurse writes "two is plenty"
3. Daughter complaining of stomach ache goes to the nurse, nurse tells here nothing wrong go back to class. She later finds small amount of blood in her underwear, goes back to nurse who tells her "don't worry about it go back to class" Daughter leaves and goes to office, She calls me from office and I pick her up to find she has started her period.
I am hoping having been a nurse myself for 16 years this is not normal type behavior and where should I turn with this.
Thanks,
Qanik

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 11, 2004

The nurse sounds odd. One incident could be just a miscommunication, but it sounds like a pattern to me. A kid with a temp of 103.8 would look sick, even before they spiked I think- at least enough to lie down for 30min and see if they feel better. The blood question is insane, and hopefully you can check your daughter's notes and handouts for some reference about brushing teeth.

As far as blood in her underwear- that wouldn't be ignored by any sane nurse. From an 11 year old girl- of course they could be starting their period. Or even worse, it could be an opening from the child to talk about more serious issues. She would have to be pretty thick to miss that cue.

Your daughter should be allowed access to a phone to call you any time, without going to the nurse for permission. I think that if your daughter is injured at school you should insist on being called immediately, and NOT let them rely on this woman's judgement. It's only a matter of time before she diagnoses a skull fracture as a case of test-itis, and you don't want it to be your kid.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 12, 2004

If the nurse is a school employee I would start by talking with her and then go to the principal and perhaps the district office. Good luck.

qanik · Jun 14, 2004

If the nurse is a school employee I would start by talking with her and then go to the principal and perhaps the district office. Good luck.

Thanks for the input. My daughter actually isn't a frequent flyer as these have been her only 2 visits in 4 years. I have spoken to the principal. She is an RN and apparently there has been multiple complaints with similar events and she won't be back next year. My attempts to contact her and explain my concern have gone unanswered.

Again Thank You

Qanik

z's playa · Jun 14, 2004

I Most school's will disregard a parent's concern as just that..an overly concerned parent until many of these complaints start to add up. Luckily they did! Too bad your daughter had to go through a life changing moment at the hands of a witch though.