First Aid

Yes, the room is small, but we have ways to ensure it can be made a private area.

Just ask the nurse if you can talk in private. We may have to see other students initially to pave to way for a private conversation. We can close the door and place a sign on the door saying privacy needed to keep other students out. Alternatively, we can use one of the counsellor’s rooms to talk.

You can also call in and we can arrange a time and a private /confidential area where you can speak freely without interruption and know that your conversation will not be heard by others.

Unfortunately, females make up the majority of the Nurses workforce, it has always been a female dominated career.

However, in saying this, we are professional, and we do not judge and are very used to dealing with all sorts of issues…female and male related. No question is too silly or too embarrassing …we deal with lots of questions all day. If you still feel uncomfortable, it may be something that a male counsellor can assist with, with the Nurses guidance. Alternatively, we can organise a Doctor’s appointment/Male.

The recommendation is that if you vomit, you should remain home for 24 hours after the vomiting ceases. Vomiting could indicate that you are infectious and if you return to school, you may make your peers and teachers unwell.

You can call the Nurses in the First Aid room to discuss:

With Covid 19, a symptom can be vomiting; so ideally you should also call the Covid hotline and ask for advise as well re testing.  Generally testing for vomiting is only undertaken if you have been overseas/had a close contact.

1800675398

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/assessment-and-testing-criteria-coronavirus-covid-19

Sitting is probably one of the worst positions with low back pain as it places strain on the lower spine.

Therefore it is important to stand and stretch regularly during classes (let your teacher know and sit at the back of the class so you don’t disturb other students) We would suggest ice initially, to reduce any swelling then heat to relax muscle fibres. Heat will often bring relief.  Medication for the discomfort will also help. Discuss this with the Nurses. Another suggestion would be to rest/lie flat for 20 minutes with heat.  You can do this in the First aid room at recess or lunchtime. If in class time, you will need a note from your teacher giving you permission.

Is it a funny fluttering feeling? Or sometimes a tight gripping feeling. We also call it butterflies in your stomach. This is a normal body signal that happens when we feel stressed or unsafe. Your digestive system often reacts to thoughts and emotions – this is known as the fight or flight response.

When your brain perceives a potential threat to survival, it increases alertness by raising your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. At the same time, the nervous system wakes up your adrenal glands, which release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol – this would have been to  prepare your body to run away from a danger – like a lion.

Blood in your body is diverted to a place where it is needed – like your muscles – and away from your stomach.  The muscles in the smooth stomach are extra sensitive during the fight-or-flight response, which explains the sensation of a million flying insects in your belly. Digestion also slows down so you may feel nauseated or you may even throw up if you have eaten recently.  

It is a perfectly normal response to stress and will pass but you may want to talk to someone about the cause of your feelings.