School Nurse Lifehacks!

Specialties School

Published

So, what little things do you do to make your job easier?

A couple of things I do...

*Sponge ice packs: dampen a sponge and place in ziploc sandwich size bag. Freeze. No drips! I like this because you can cut the sponge into different sizes before freezing.

* "Ghost" small ice pack. makes the little ones smile. Good for little boo-boos and to soothe eyes. Put an ice cube in a zip sandwich bag, place paper towel or other absorbent material over bag and twist cube part/fasten with rubber band at the "neck." make a "wooOOOOOoooooo!" sound when you give it to the student. :laugh:

*Mini Club crackers AKA "magic crackers." The kids actually believe they will cure a stomach ache.

*Freeze pop for little ones who are crying and have a mouth injury. (Bit tongue, hurt lip, etc.) The pop makes them happy and you ice the area at the same time.

*Use plastic wrap to hold a cold pack in place on an ankle, arm etc.

OK, so most of mine involve ice, but hey...We use a LOT!

Next!

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

Snowy, your #2 is adorable.

MrNurse(x2), ADN

2,558 Posts

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I use cut gallon milk jugs (handle left on) as emesis basins. Each classroom has one. Saves the trashcan liner, fits the "if I didn't see it" criteria and you can tell if a student really has the urge to puke, otherwise they won't touch the thing.

Eleven011

1,250 Posts

Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Mini club crackers are my goto. Like them even better than saltines! I fill up a water cup about half full and cure many stomach aches that way.

SnowyJ, RN

844 Posts

attachment.php?attachmentid=20868&stc=1attachment.php?attachmentid=20868&stc=1

SnowyJ, RN

844 Posts

COME ON!!!! I know we have more lifehacks! Not counting Vodka.

DEgalRN

454 Posts

I use cut gallon milk jugs (handle left on) as emesis basins. Each classroom has one. Saves the trashcan liner, fits the "if I didn't see it" criteria and you can tell if a student really has the urge to puke, otherwise they won't touch the thing.

I love this idea. I'm absolutely going to start using it!

A&Ox6, MSN, RN

1 Article; 572 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

Pour dishwashing soap in a ziplock bag and lay it flat in the freezer. It makes a great flexible ice pack. You can do them in different colors. You can even add glitter if it floats your boat.

If you need to and a kid with tape (it happens), wrap a foot on a tongue depressor.

For skinned knees that keep reopening (especially during shorts whether and field day) wrap the knee or other part with contouring wrap or pre wrap. Just make sure parents and teachers know that it is not there for a medical reason, only preventive. Otherwise parents tend to freak out.

A&Ox6, MSN, RN

1 Article; 572 Posts

Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

Also, buddy tape fingers, always buddy tape

Eleven011

1,250 Posts

Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

Warm salt water gargle for those pesky sore throats/coughs. It helps, plus its just yucky enough that they won't keep coming back to bother you! :)

NanaPoo

762 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.
Pour dishwashing soap in a ziplock bag and lay it flat in the freezer. It makes a great flexible ice pack. You can do them in different colors. You can even add glitter if it floats your boat.

Just straight dishwashing soap, nothing else?

If you need to and a kid with tape (it happens), wrap a foot on a tongue depressor.

Wait, what? I'm not clear on this one.

BeckyESRN

1,263 Posts

For broken flip flops- a safety pin through the broken plastic bit between the toes will keep it from pulling through the sole. Just push the plastic part through the hole in the sole and put the pin through it, ta-da!

Aloe Vera=Magic lotion! My kinders love this. A bruise from 4 days ago still hurts? Use the magic lotion and it will feel better instantly.

Homemade calm down bottle for headaches. I use this on my kids with concussions. Shake it up, watch the glitter swirl around and settle. It seems to make a big difference. One 5th grader told me that it shuts his brain off and lets him relax, which made his headache go away quickly. He asked how to make one for at home! I also tell my little ones with minor (or made-up) ailments that it's my "cure all bottle", its usually all they need to recover from that "head hurts" "tummy hurts" "just feel sick" feeling. -I used VOS water bottles, water, food coloring, 3 different types of glitter, and a little oil. On the down side, I have a giant pink stain on my floor for a little dropping it, resulting in an explosion of glitter and dyed water/oil everywhere! But it's still worth it!

A blown-up glove will make almost any crying kid smile! especially if you draw a silly face on it.

+ Add a Comment