Thoughts from a School Nurse You might feel a little stick!

My day at school is almost over, and I am going to vent my frustrations big time... so click away now if you don't want to read it.

I have students that come to my office when, in all probability, they would be just fine without a trip to the nurse. However, today I had a student come to me that was hurt during recess. It wasn't a terrible injury; no gushing blood or protruding bones... but I thought it warranted a call to the student's parents. Well, guess what? I couldn't get in touch with ONE PERSON on this student's emergency list. I called five different numbers and had to leave five messages. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?? What is the point of an Emergency Card if no one is available? What if it HAD been a true emergency? I don't understand how a parent can't be available with all the technology there is today. We have home phones, cell phones, work phones and beepers. And give me a break... if you have someone listed as an emergency contact, give me a WORKING number! If the numbers change, how hard is it to send a note in with your kid to the teacher or the office?? This was just the last drop in the bucket that tipped my patience out of balance. I can't imagine someone not being able to reach me or Mark if something happened to Emily Grace.

I've come to realize in my two years of being a school nurse, that some parents just don't feel the need to get involved with their kids' healthcare, not to mention what the teachers go through with school work. This always has and always will confuse and infuriate me. I see different kids every week that have some sort of physical need that is not being met at home. As a school nurse, I do all I can to make sure those kids get what they need, even if it means a call to social services. So do the teachers and administration staff. What happens when they get home, though? Will they have dinner? Will they get help with homework or have a book read to them? Will they have a bath? Will they have someone to hug them and say "I love you and you're special"?

The bell just rang. I'm going to hug my kid.