how often is your Kindergartener visiting the nurse?

[laurack]

I feel like Matilda goes to the nurses office too much. It's like 2,3 times a week she says she was at the nurse. "I had a tummy ache" "I fell off the monkey bars" "I scraped my knee" etc. etc.

I told her to not go to the nurses office unless she was bleeding or it was a really bad problem but I don't think it is working, she said she was there again yesterday because her head hurt.

I'm wondering if frequent visits are normal early on in K... maybe it's a novelty thing? I can try to talk to the teacher but was curious first if this was just normal behavior.

[redmonkeystomper]

Oct 18, 2017 11:55:00 GMT -5 laurack said:

I feel like Matilda goes to the nurses office too much. It's like 2,3 times a week she says she was at the nurse. "I had a tummy ache" "I fell off the monkey bars" "I scraped my knee" etc. etc.

I told her to not go to the nurses office unless she was bleeding or it was a really bad problem but I don't think it is working, she said she was there again yesterday because her head hurt.

I'm wondering if frequent visits are normal early on in K... maybe it's a novelty thing? I can try to talk to the teacher but was curious first if this was just normal behavior.

Ruby hasn't been to the nurse at all yet. 2-3 times per week seems excessive. I'm surprised her teacher sends her that often. As a teacher I only sent kids who I suspected had a fever, looked like they might throw up, or were bleeding/hurt pretty bad. So honestly I think her teacher should limit visits. Maybe she likes the nurse or the attention?

Kids will use the nurse for a variety of reasons, attention, avoidance, the novelty, etc. So I do think it's normal that she's asking to go but I'm just surprised the teacher says yes.

[ktstorm]

Last year B was at the nurse at least once a week. Every so often it was for a playground accident or walking into a wall, but most we're for stomachaches and headaches. They always occurred during rest time so I thought it was because he didn't want to be quiet/wanted to get up and walk around, but it turned out he had a dairy sensitivity and was always uncomfortable after lunch




He's only been 2 or 3 times this year?

[dixeedeluxe]

Any time there is a fall where a kid hits their head, teachers are supposed to send them to the nurse. Also, if any bodily fluids are exchanged (kid spits on other kid), they are supposed to send them.

A has been maybe 4x? Once she came home with a huge goose egg on her head and DID'T go to the nurse. So I emailed to ask what the procedure is. That's where I learned that stuff.

[hocus2]

Going to the nurse can be a coping mechanism for some kids. I'd inquire with the nurse and teacher if they think this is a concern. IF not I'd leave it be. If she likes taking a 5 mins break and it isn't harming anyone then I'd let her do that. It is far less disruptive than other coping mechanisms.

[jena]

Oct 18, 2017 13:56:44 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

Going to the nurse can be a coping mechanism for some kids. I'd inquire with the nurse and teacher if they think this is a concern. IF not I'd leave it be. If she likes taking a 5 mins break and it isn't harming anyone then I'd let her do that. It is far less disruptive than other coping mechanisms.

This is what my oldest did. She just got overwhelmed by all the activity/noise and her own anxieties, and that feeling is usually what makes her head/stomach ache. She's outgrown it, but there were a ton of unnecessary nurse trips probably up until 3rd grade.

I never really thought of it as a good coping mechanism, but there are definitely worse ways to cope!

[hocus2]

Oct 18, 2017 14:35:40 GMT -5 jena said:

Oct 18, 2017 13:56:44 GMT -5 hocus2 said:

Going to the nurse can be a coping mechanism for some kids. I'd inquire with the nurse and teacher if they think this is a concern. IF not I'd leave it be. If she likes taking a 5 mins break and it isn't harming anyone then I'd let her do that. It is far less disruptive than other coping mechanisms.

This is what my oldest did. She just got overwhelmed by all the activity/noise and her own anxieties, and that feeling is usually what makes her head/stomach ache. She's outgrown it, but there were a ton of unnecessary nurse trips probably up until 3rd grade.

I never really thought of it as a good coping mechanism, but there are definitely worse ways to cope!

  It can be a real  help to some kids if the nurse is on board with it. Nurses can vary a lot in there temperaments of course and some don't want frequent flyers who aren't truly sick. Our nurse is lovely and she can sometimes tell when a kid just needs a 5 mins break or maybe call home. 

[fusion]

As been once for a weird rash. I rarely send kids in my class, only if I think they should be sent home.

[sandj82110]

Daniel has been twice, both times because he puked at lunch. The first time they sent him home but now they will only call me if has a fever or vomits a second time so it’s evident it’s something more. He has an weak gag reflex and pukes easily.

[laurack]

Thanks guys! So her teacher said it is normal, a lot of the kids are going often. She said this is the first time they’re in a class like this and they get nervous/scared. They want control. She doesn’t discourage. I feel better now 🙂

[dbe100408]

I’m glad the teacher thinks it’s normal! We don’t have a school nurse on staff all day every day, but they do go to the office for temperature check, etc. E hasn’t been this year, but went a couple of times last year.

[mmmomof2]

My friend is a school nurse (interestingly she has no medical background) and she talks about her "frequent fliers". Some kids just crave the attention or need the reassurance.

[racheliz]

School nurse here. That sounds a little on the high side, but since you talked to the teacher and she said it was normal I wouldn't worry too much. Also, some teachers send more students to the nurse then others (some handle basic tummy aches of it's close to lunch/snack time/ minor cuts/scrapes.) If it continues to be a habit, I would reach out to the nurse if you find the visits to be excessive. I don't mind giving students a short break,, but I also feel it is important for our students to be in class learning! You are also lucky to have a nurse there, my time is split between 5 schools so it can be difficult to pinpoint any underlying causes for some of the frequent fliers.

[imimahoney]

Only twice (to my knowledge). One was for a cut he got on the playground and the other was as a play buddy for his friend who broke his foot and had to sit out of gym.

[TrudyCampbell]

V did this VERY often in preschool and I think it was just a novelty thing. She loved going to the nurse.

[Deleted]

She's only been once, when she threw up all over her classroom :/ I think that visit was an unpleasant experience so I doubt she wants to go back lol

[DesertMoon]

He's never been...the principals office is a different story...