Would you want this responsibility?

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I am a teacher, and I would be happy to be trained. I'd much rather know than not be able to help a student. With my classroom in the back of the school, it could be 5 minutes before an admin or nurse found her way back there.

 

[Disney Doll]

Pretty much every teacher who comes into contact with this kid should know how to administer his/her epipen if needed or one of you may watch the kid die in front of you.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[disykat]

Yes. I have actually requested that responsibility because my own son has peanut allergies. I've never had to use one IRL either, just a trainer and practiced with expired pens on oranges.

All teachers should be trained. I've had two teachers tell me to my face that they "couldn't do it." I looked them straight in the eye and told them that I must know them better than they know themselves then because I had absolute faith that if my child was on the floor dying I knew they'd pull out that pen, read the instructions or have 911 help them and give it their best shot - so to speak.

I bet you dollars to donuts that everyone who administers those things is terrified, but the "good samaritan" laws protect you. No one wants to be responsible for another persons life, but lets face it , we are all at one time or another.

 

[brytorlyn]

This is a responsibility that teachers have no choice but to take on and although I understand that it might make you nervous it is really a very simple procedure. My daughter has been a lifeguard since she was 16 and they train all the guards to this. Anyone can do this.

As far as worrying about the legal ramifications, teachers take responsibility for kids safety (not to mention mental well-being) all the time...field trips, injuries in class rooms, school lock downs. If you can 't handle being responsible for their safety then you need to think about a different position.

 

[KirstenB]

Pretty much every teacher who comes into contact with this kid should know how to administer his/her epipen if needed or one of you may watch the kid die in front of you.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

What she said. I learned CPR just so I could help in case there was no doctor or nurse around in whatever setting. Isn't there a Good Samaritan Law? I don't ever want to be the person who stood by and watched, kwim?

 

[PaulaSue]

Ditto to what the nurse posted in the 2nd post.

We had a preschooler who needed us to carry her pen at all times. Everyone knew who was the go to teacher and she carried it on her person so if we were at playground or out of the class room she was still covered.

 

[BuffettFan]

The epipen training takes all of two minutes.
As a parent of a child with allergies I think all teachers, really caregivers of any kind, should have to go through the brief "training".
For years our son enjoyed sleeping over friends houses, and we always showed parents how to use it.
We even taught our other children how to do it in the event that their brother needed it administered while palying outside, or at a friends house.
Its not a big deal.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

With so many kids having severe allergies these days, it seems this would be as important as being First Aid and CPR certified.

If it was me, I'd volunteer in a heart beat!

 

[MM27]

If you ever find yourself in a severe allergy situation don't be afraid to use the epipen. If you use it and he doesn't need it, it's okay. If you hold off until he's really struggling, you've waited too late.

Thank you for that information. That is what I was really worried about. What if I used it and he didn't really need it? I've had a student before with a severe peanut allergy, but she didn't use an epi-pen. I actually talked to the nurse today and volunteered to be trained.

I would not hesitate to use an epipen, BUT I would also ask the school if they had written confirmation of their willingness to cover my butt in a lawsuit.

Yeah, it's a nice thought to believe that a parent would never sue under such a circumstance, but my mother was a nursing supervisor who had to deal with malpractice from patients or their families more than once. She almost left the profession the time one of her nurses saved a guy's life with CPR -and he sued her for giving him a cold. No, I'm not kidding. The case was thrown out, but the nurse who was sued DID leave the profession after that.

This crap does happen and I'd want the school to acknowledge it and be prepared to pay my legal fees.

That was the first thing that crossed my mind. I didn't know anything about the epi-pen (thank you knowledgable dissers ) and I automatically thought lawsuit. Isn't that a sad reality of life today?

I've heard quite a few teachers say they wouldn't put themselves in that position and one told me today that I was stupid for volunteering

 

[minkydog]

Thank you for that information. That is what I was really worried about. What if I used it and he didn't really need it? I've had a student before with a severe peanut allergy, but she didn't use an epi-pen. I actually talked to the nurse today and volunteered to be trained.



That was the first thing that crossed my mind. I didn't know anything about the epi-pen (thank you knowledgable dissers ) and I automatically thought lawsuit. Isn't that a sad reality of life today?

I've heard quite a few teachers say they wouldn't put themselves in that position and one told me today that I was stupid for volunteering

You won't hurt a child by giving his epipen too soon. Google your state law to find out if you have a Good Samaritan law. And call your school board.

I am really stunned that any teacher would tell you that you were stupid to volunteer. Is it stupid to want to protect a child from harm? I think that teacher is stupid for NOT getting trained and I hope she never comes to regret it. Watching a child die in your arms is a devastating experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

 

[kacaju]

I am a 4-H leader would have no problem volunteering to do so if it meant a child could become a part of my club.

 

[jamimb]

Next year a student coming into my grade level has a severe allergy that means there is a possibility that an epi-pen might need to be used. Apparently there is another student in another grade as well. The nurse is looking for teachers that are willing to get trained on how to administer the epi-pen, if needed, if she is out of the building or can't get there fast enough. I'm sure none of my team is going to volunteer and being the lead teacher, I will be asked. I understand the need, but I'm thinking that there is a serious liability surrounding this as well.

I am an assistant teacher at an elementary school and all teachers and assistant teachers are required to go to training for this every year. It's really not a big deal!

 

[jamimb]

WOuld it kill or harm someone if it was administered when there was not an allergic reaction.

I mean if there are symptoms like unresponsiveness or swelling, choking etc... and it is misdiagnosed as, say maybe the peanut allergy or something. and the epi was administered. in normal cases would it be bad.

I think my problem is deciding when action is needed. Like when someone faints. Usually their eyes are stil open but glassy and wandering. by that time it is too late to get up and catch them...

Mikeeee

I am an assistant teacher and the first time I was trained to use the epipen the school nurse told a story about a teacher who tried to administer one once and was so freaked out that she actually ended up sticking herself instead of the child. the nurse was laughing while telling the story and luckily the school had more than one for the child but I know that both the child and the teacher were taken away by ambulance just as a precaution.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

I am an assistant teacher at an elementary school and all teachers and assistant teachers are required to go to training for this every year. It's really not a big deal!

That is the way it should be! Anyone who comes into contact with the student should be trained. I had to administer an Epi pen to a student a couple of years ago and I was more that happy to do it. Our policy did require us to call the school nurse, 911, and the parents immediately afterwards.

DH has an Epi pen for bee allergies. Thankfully, he was able to administer it to himself.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I agree that all teachers should know how to do this. You should suggest that they ALL attend. I would also suggest that there be an epipen kept at school, in case the child forgets it, loses it, leaves it in the car etc.

Do you need an prescription to get an Epi-Pen? If so, I don't think it would be possible for schools to have one on hand just in case.

OP, I'm glad that you are willing to do the training, but I can understand why you are worried about a possible lawsuit if something goes wrong. I was involved in a civil suit a few years ago stemming from a car accident that I wasn't found at fault for. The people who sued ended up getting a million dollars. Although I would administer an Epi-Pen to save a life, I can't say that a possible law suit wouldn't go through my head.

 

[kc10family]

The question being....Would you want this responsibility?
No.. who WANTS the responsibility? No one WANTS it.
However, it is needed and should be taken on by all.

My training comes from the military chem warfare classes and I tell you what, I would slam that pen in my leg or any other military members leg as fast as I could if needed.

 

[minkydog]

Do you need an prescription to get an Epi-Pen? If so, I don't think it would be possible for schools to have one on hand just in case.

A lot on insurance companies will pay for two epipens so that the child can keep one at school and one at home(or in their bookbag.)

 

[binny]

I have an epi pen. using it isnt a big deal. KNOWING when to use it is key and really thats pretty obvious once you know what to look for.

When I worked at a preschool it was part of the job requirement to be trained in how to use one if needed. Im actually a little surprised this is the first time youve come across it.

 

[binny]

and yes most kids have 2 so one can be hand at all times. Mine is actually quite expired I just realized that the other day! Good news I obviously havent had to use it

Of course I do a fairly good job of not entering tire stores, changing tires, handling anything rubber including rubberbands, or anything like that.



ETA, I carry it on my person and have to declare it whenever I fly. I was pretty nervouse about it the first time even though I know its allowed. You never how theyre going to react to stuff you know? So I declared it like I am supposed it and he said "For future reference we can NEVER tell you that you cant take something on board that you medically NEED to have"

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

A lot on insurance companies will pay for two epipens so that the child can keep one at school and one at home(or in their bookbag.)

I guess I didn't write what I was thinking! (Long day at work!) Anyway, what I was trying to say is it possible to keep an Epi-Pen at a school for anyone who may need it or would it just be for the person it is prescribed to? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I'm just wondering!