FFP : Frequent Flyer Program

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Helpful School Nurse Tip: Yes, even in the school setting you will encounter frequent flyers. Learn to embrace them early on- you'll thank yourself later!

Embracing the Frequent Flyer

Embracing the “frequent flyer” is a conscious goal of mine every school year. And every year, I’m reminded of an article I read a long time ago- one that stuck with me and still shapes how I approach these visits. It was written by the original school nurse blogger (and my personal inspiration), Gerri Harvey.

Gerri had a detailed and one-of-a-kind website called School Nurse Perspectives. It was packed with everyday tips and real-world insights that spoke directly to the heart of our work. I read her posts over and over again. Though Gerri has since retired- and retired her blog- I’m lucky to still keep in touch with her through the gift of social media. Her wisdom continues to inspire me both professionally and personally.

One of Gerri’s posts that never left me was about “frequent flyers.” She reminded us that there’s always something more behind these visits. I believe that wholeheartedly.

What Gerri Said

On her blog, Gerri talked about those students we often call "frequent flyers"—the ones who show up day after day. She reminded school nurses that there’s almost always something more going on beneath the surface. I believe that too. After all these years, I’ve seen it time and time again.

Frequent Flyer Goal

With Gerri’s reminder in mind, try looking at your frequent flyers through a different lens. Instead of feeling frustrated when Student Idee shows up again, pause and ask yourself: What’s bringing them here today?

Is there an unmet need they’re trying to meet by coming to your office so often? Maybe it’s comfort, connection, or just a few quiet minutes in a safe space. When you take the time to build trust and relationships, you’ll start to uncover what they really need—and why they keep returning.

So here’s the challenge: learn to welcome those visits. You might just surprise yourself and miss them when they stop visiting so often.