Bullying & Physical Complaints of Students

BULLYING in SHOOLS

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Hopefully Helpful School Nurse Tip:  Do you think some of  your student's complaints can be related to a bullying issue? Sometimes students have psychosomatic issues and they don't realize why. Pay attention- this might be happening to one of your students too.

As a school nurse, you might be one of the first school employees to suspect or learn about an act of bullying.

Bullying which results in physical injuries can be some of the most obvious attacks.  

However, many forms of bullying cause emotional  and other health related complaints. The health related symptoms (psychosomatic symptoms) can go unrecognized for a long period of time until they are related to a bullying situation.

Health related complaints caused from bullying include, but are not limited to:

• stomach aches
• fatigue
• nausea
• sore muscles
• headaches
• depression
• anxiety
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• tiredness
• drug/alcohol use/abuse
• back pain
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite

Many times it is easier for students to ask to see the school nurse for these or similar complaints. If  you are the school nurse who realizes one of your students is being bullied then read on to see how you can help.

As a school nurse YOU CAN HELP!

1. Gather Information or Get School Admin to Gather Info:  Collaborate with other school employees (administration) to determine if the situation qualifies as a form of bullying (physical, verbal, cyber, social).

2. Be Supportive: Support the student being bullied and support all bystanders while the school administrators properly address the student bully according to school policy.

3. Educate: Help educate students and staff on bullying, prevention, and responding.

These steps are outlined in greater detail on the Stop Bullying website!.

List of online (anti)bullying resources:

PBS

Education

Stop Bullying

Stop Bullying Now DVD

Bullying

Kids Health

CDC

STRYVE

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How can school nurse properly dispose of full sharps containers?

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

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Helpful School Nurse Tip: One of the best ways to strengthen your school health program isn't always by increasing your budget—it's by building relationships within your community. Many local organizations are eager to support schools through donations, services, educational programs, and partnerships. The key is simply asking and building those relationships over time. One example? Our local fire department.

A Simple Community Partnership

When I first started at my school, the district spent hundreds of dollars each year disposing of full sharps containers. Those costs added up quickly and took away from the limited budget available for student health supplies.

About seven years ago, I reached out to our local fire department to see if they would be willing to dispose of one full sharps container each year at no cost to the district.

Thankfully, they agreed—and they've continued to provide this valuable service ever since.

That one conversation not only saved our school district money, but it also strengthened an already positive relationship with our local firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics.

It's a great reminder that sometimes the best solutions come from simply asking.

                             

Think Beyond Your Budget

Community partnerships aren't just about saving money.

They can also provide:

• Student and staff education
• Health screenings
• Guest speakers
• Emergency preparedness training
• Donated supplies
• Volunteer opportunities
• Professional expertise
• Family support services

Sometimes the greatest value isn't financial—it's knowing who to call when someone needs help.

Community Partners to Consider

Every community is different, but here are a few organizations worth getting to know:

• Fire Department
• EMS
• Local hospitals and healthcare systems
• Health Department
• Lions Club
• Dental clinics
• Vision providers
• Food pantries
• Mental health agencies
• Public libraries
• Community foundations
• Local businesses
• American Heart Association
• American Lung Association
• American Red Cross

For family resources, don't overlook 211.org. It connects families with local assistance for food, housing, utilities, mental health services, transportation, childcare, and many other community programs. You can learn more by visiting 211.org.

You don't have to build every partnership overnight.

Start With One Conversation

Building community partnerships doesn't happen overnight.

Start with one conversation.

Reach out to a local organization, introduce yourself, explain your role, and look for opportunities to work together.

You might be surprised how many people are eager to support your students and your school.

I'd Love to Hear From You!

What community partnerships have made a difference in your school?

Have you found a creative way to save money, provide additional services, or connect families with helpful resources?

I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments!

Having a great working relationship with your local fire department and EMT service is good- Saving your school district money is even better!

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Sharps disposal guidelines by state for home generated sharps available HERE!

Grab some other community networking ideas with this online, anytime continuing education course!

Check out these other popular DOASN blog posts & links.

School Nurse Office Decor and Set Up

 

What does your dream health center or

school nurse's office look like?

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Lately, I've been dreaming of a spacious, organized, lovely new health center!

Reality is... I'll have to make do with the space I have.  Since I've worked in the school setting for 17+ (seriously) years I realize that the space I have is GREAT!  However, I can always dream, right?!

 

Here are a couple of random office pictures:

 

The above four pictures are from "my office".

I try to keep it somewhat organized- it is actually a rather large office and a space we use for extra storage, health charts, and vision & hearing screenings. 

 

This school year I was gifted a "new desk"-

it is really two tables pushed together in an L shape

and I'm sure the pieces are 20+ years old, but they weren't being used and are in great condition!

They beat the folding table and yucky old desk I had used for the last 6 years. 

Anyway.... one of the new desks has a topper on it for my computer monitor and the guys

found me short filing cabinets to fit under each side for

drawer space! I love it- I should have taken a picture :) 

I joke the new desk is so nice I finish twice as much work in half the amount of time!

 

Those are pictures of the school nurse's "waiting room" area.

There is a clip board for students to sign in and out,

free fruit (we get a basketful everyday from the wonderful cafeteria ladies),

and two old (!) cots for students to sit and wait for us. 

 

See the picture of the lockers? 

Below the picture we have the schedule printed for the kids...

then below that you see the little square colored pieces of paper? 

Those each correspond with a class period. 

If we have passes that need to be delivered for students we hang our passes there. 

Each class period we have 2-3 student messenger who sit a little round table below that sign-

they deliver passes for us, fill our water pitcher, make ice packs, and make us smile & laugh- remembering what it was like to be a teenager!

... school nurse treatment area desk ...

 

The above is actually a pencil drawing (from a former student) of a portion of the clinic are. 

This is where the students and staff are cared for!

It is a hodge-podge of old cabinets and desks

mixed with our new cots and desk chairs!

 

I've seen my share of health centers or nurse's offices

and so I realize how very lucky we are to have the space we have!

If I were allowed to dream though- I would redesign this space (a little bit!).

Moving walls probably aren't in my near future-

but if it were I have some grand plans in my mind!

 

My "short list" of dreams include:

1. new office cabinets that match and are functional!
2. a counter space area for supplies and an area for the students to check their blood sugar.
3. new flooring.
4. a new refrigerator- ours is very old!
5. a new microwave- ours was purchased in 1992!
6. one of these (affiliate link) FABULOUS ice makers! Although I would like to have one in  my home; I would LOVE to have one in my office. Can you imagine making ice packs on an as needed basis with these awesome little tiny nugget ice pieces?!  I dream of that day (is that weird?)! 

What does your nurse's office look like?

Do you love it?

Are there things you want to change in your office?