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The Relentless School Nurse: Our True Work Comes in our Interruptions

 

Teachable moments are those seconds of clarity when someone experiences an absolute understanding that previously eluded him or her.  In my work as a School Nurse, I was accustomed to creating the “teachable moments” for my students.  On this particular late afternoon, it was my turn to experience a “teachable moment” from a student.

Who recognizes this scenario?  It was another endless day of problem-solving, crisis management, sewing ripped pants, helping a staff member deal with a personal issue, chasing down paperwork and try to screen at least one class.  This describes almost every day, and that’s only the morning.  Let’s not talk about the endless nightmare that recess can bring to the Nurse’s office.

It was my usual, chaotic ballet, as I lovingly referred to the never-ending dance of students that came to see me.  Most days, my door does not close for my lunchtime because inevitably, disaster strikes for someone right at 1:00 pm.  Interesting to note what we as school nurses define as an emergency is not the same definition as anyone else in the school.  Are we speaking a language that no one around us understands?  It certainly feels that way at times.

I have learned over my many years of school nursing that children often have unstable living arrangements.  I quickly stopped asking, “Do you live with your mom or dad?”  I ask, “Who lives in your house?”  That has helped me not make assumptions and has given me more information about the child’s home life than a simple yes or no question.  So, I learned a new lesson this particular afternoon.

It was the very end of this busy, frenetic, mind-numbing day and in walks my little guy that I had seen earlier for a vague complaint of “heart pain”.  He could not pinpoint a history of onset.  The pain was not connected to any event, accident or game.  Sometimes I use ice for comfort measures, this is one trick in my school nurse magic arsenal.  I have learned if you do nothing and send the student away they feel unheard and uncared for and then often boom=a-rang back.  I value my motto that I strive to treat every child the way I would want my children to be treated.

 Please click here to continue reading: Our True Work Comes in our Interruptions

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Robin:

Ice pack to the heart.

BAM.

I LOVE this essay, insight, sharing. There are so many moments, like this, in schools and in general, where kids eat their experience, hide them in shame or silence or confusion. This is not only hard for kids but for all of us because then we don't know the true lives of others. Keep writing, sharing, nursing and being "relentless"

Cis

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