School Nurses

Hej! The title of this blog is "School Nurses" and thats simply because I had my first visit with my school's nurse here in Sweden and it was very interesting. I saw the nurse on Wednesday because my leg was hurting. Actually I've had a severe pain in my leg for about a week now, and so I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to get it checked and make sure i'm not dying. Well when I saw the nurse automatically it was different from America. Here's what happens when you visit the school nurse in America: 1. They ask you your name first, and maybe something like your grade. 2. They check the records to make sure they have written consent from your parents to treat you and to give you medication. 3. They ask you a list of questions: Whats wrong? How long has it been going on? How did it happen? How does it feel? 4. This part depends on whats wrong with you, and if you're in Elementary, Middle, or High school. If you're stomach feels bad, they're almost never going to give you medication. They'll maybe let you lay down for half an hour, or they'll just call your parents and send you home. If you're leg hurts, like mine does, they'll give you some meds and send you back to class. If its very serious like a broken nose or you fainted, then they'll call an ambulance. The nurse will also try to examine you without touching you at all. In Sweden, its VERY different. I don't know what it's like in different situations, sense i've only been once, but I got the picture. 1. The first question I was asked was where am I from, that was probably just because I was speaking English, though... but the nurse never once asked me my name. 2. They ask the basic questions, like what happened and all that. 3. They examine you. Like actually examine you, how an actual doctor would. Its 100% true that Swedes are way more open and comfortable than Americans. 4. They find whatever the solution to your injury and then you leave. Nice and simple. I think the whole drama with Americans needing to know everything and not doing anything at all, comes from the fact that Americans sue people like crazy. Thats why school nurses need consent from the parents and why they need to keep logs of every person that comes in. It's so wierd. I'm not trying to rag on America or anything. America is a great country, and so is Sweden. Well maybe tomorrow(if i'm not dead) I'll post about doctors in Sweden. Bye bye!