2/26/09

Just call me 'Nurse Sarah'!

This week I have been more the school nurse than the secretary, some weeks it just goes like that! Yesterday especially was not a good day for concentration with the kids it seemed, one kid even managed to get himself ensnared by a cafeteria table as he closed it!

One of our sweetest students ran smack bang into a wall head first, not looking where she was going. So I made a turban out of our gel ice pack and sent her back for a bit to see how she did. After awhile, when there was no swelling to be seen and she complained of a headache, I had mom take her to the Dr to be checked over. She came back today but had a headache first thing, so I gave her tylenol and she was okay again.

But less than 3 hrs later she was back with a headache and having seen her looking fine, I was unconvinced that it wasn't more psychosomatic!

She told me the Dr put some cream on that made the pain go away, even though there's no skin injury. So I tried a little experiment!

I applied a tiny bit of Myoflex (muscle pain reliever) with a cotton ball and then gave her a 5 minute head massage. Well it worked, well either the 'magic' cream did or the massage LOL.

I have therefore surmised, one essential requirement for a Grade school secretary is being a little bit canny, as us Brit's say!

And now I have to rush off to perform surgery on a Kindergartener with a splinter!

17 comments:

Sherri said...

Sarah, you definitely have qualified as a school nurse this week! I love the "magic cream" and scalp massage!! I'll be right there for mine!! Take care!

Anonymous said...

I'm always amazed by how 'magic cream' or some kind of placebo works with The Youngest. The power of suggestion in full effect!

Sandi McBride said...

Can you come put Pyewackit's ear drops in? (If you've read my post you'll know how badly I need your help!) How lovely that you've got these tykes all figured out. I'd say you're a pretty good School Nurse!
Sandi

Sassy Britches said...

Yay for placebos and TLC!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Sarah, You are just multi-talented... Hope you have a good supply of those 'sugar pills' to give kids who THINK they need something... Lots of kids will do whatever it takes to get away from their classes. Good Luck!!!!

Congrats, Nurse Sarah.
Hugs,
Betsy

Linda Jennings said...

I never knew an elementary school secretary had to be so multi-talented! *LOL*

Expat mum said...

I hope you have upped the premiums on your personal liability insurance!!!

Kay said...

Oh you are definitely the BEST, Sarah! I see why the kids love you!

Almost American said...

As Expat Mum says, I hope you have good liability insurance! You gave a kid Tylenol?! It's been years since I've dared do that! Even when working in a boarding school where the nurse went home at 11 pm, I don't think I administered anything other than a cup of tea! Fortunately, we do have a school nurse, so I simply refer the kids to her and let her take the responsibility for deciding if the kid is just whining!

Nancy said...

With children, sometimes it's a loving touch, and knowing they are being "cared" for. How sweet of you.

Unknown said...

We have a signed Permission to give Medication form from all parents, plus I always call to ask them again before we give anything and we record it all in a book. You can't be too careful these days!

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Sarah, those kids must love you. You seem a very caring lady and a great school nurse when needed.

Jill of All Trades said...

That was cute. There are a puzzle sometimes.

The Antiques Diva™ said...

Forget Nurse Sarah, I'm going for DR BRIT!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Magic cream, takes you back. I remember the days there was a school nurse. Now you can get the sack for offering a plaster at school.

George said...

What a great story. I guess you need to be ready for just about anything when working at an elementary school. You're obviously a fine nurse.

Unknown said...

You always have to be one step ahead of the kids. She just probably wanted attention and that is what you provided. Good job.