Activities in the clinic

JudithL_in_NH · Jan 10, 2008

While awaiting pick up by their parents, I have a few picture books sick kids can look at. Some are up for a quiet activity; others just want to lie there 'cause they feel too crummy.

Yesterday I had four sibs waiting for pick up d/t conjunctivitis, so they were feeling fine, just had goopy eyes--they were all coloring. I have crayons and just give them copy paper to draw on.

But a kid who is there resting d/t sx (HA, stomach)--if he's perky enough to be looking for entertainment, I'd wager he's perky enough to return to class.

I had a new student to our building in my clinic the other day. She was resting because of a stomach ache. No fever. She asked if she could do and activity.
I was puzzled and asked what she meant. She said that in her old school, the nurse would let them color, read books or work a puzzle when they were in the clinic. My first thought was.."if you are well enough to work a puzzle, then you are well enough to be in class". Just wanted to see if any of you allow this in your clinic's ??
Thanks for any feedback !
Praiser

zenman · Jan 13, 2008

I've found that "boredom" cures many a stomach problem and they race back to class.

okschoolnurse · Jan 14, 2008

I keep all kinds of activites in my clinic to be used at my discretion.

If a student is waiting to be picked up it helps to pass the time. If I am not real sure what is going on with a student I will let them do something. If they are lethargic and uninterested, then I know they are really sick. Sometimes they just need a diversion and then they are ready to go to class. I keep toys, coloring books, and whatever else I find that amuses me also. I also keep bubbles. If I have a child who is anxious and breathing too fast, blowing bubbles is the best way to practice pursed lip breathing without them even knowing what you are doing!!!!!

rgroyer1RNBSN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

Hey I have a problem I want to ask you all, I am a nursing supervisor in an ER, well Im having problems with a paticular nurse at a paticular school, IM not kidding either, this nurse has a habit of calling parents to come and get there children if there having a stomach ache, and she will automatically direct them to my er, now were busy enough and lets just say my nurses are getting cranky about this, because after there here and we give them a complete work-up you know - Hep-Lock, labs, the whole sha-bang, nothings wrong, now I have called her and tryed talking with her but she gets down right rude with me how would you handle this?

ponysgram · Sep 25, 2008

I have on occasion provided books for children who were waiting to be picked up....especially when the No Nits policies were in place

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Sep 27, 2008

I keep all kinds of activites in my clinic to be used at my discretion.
If a student is waiting to be picked up it helps to pass the time. If I am not real sure what is going on with a student I will let them do something. If they are lethargic and uninterested, then I know they are really sick. Sometimes they just need a diversion and then they are ready to go to class. I keep toys, coloring books, and whatever else I find that amuses me also. I also keep bubbles. If I have a child who is anxious and breathing too fast, blowing bubbles is the best way to practice pursed lip breathing without them even knowing what you are doing!!!!!

I LOVE the bubble idea. I work in High School right now, but I'm going to pass this on to all the elementary nurses. When I worked elementary,I'd occasionally get kids who would be hyperventalating telling they could breathe. Bet htis works great.

michigooseBSN · Sep 29, 2008

I have a fairly good supply of easy reader and picture books based on health issues. Some are "Yikes, Lice", "Taking (diabetes, asthma, ADHD etc)to school" and "The Peanut Butter Jam". I figure while they're waiting to be picked up they might as well learn something. But kids resting don't read. As previously mentioned, if they're bored then it's time to go back to class.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Oct 18, 2008

OMG, if I provided activities I'd never get them outta the clinic! I've already had to nix peppermints for upset stomachs and lifesavers for sore throats. Word got around you could get candy in the clinic. Now it's salt water gargles and stale crackers all around!

Seriously, I find that a good dose of quiet cures a lot of things. At times I have quiet classical music on the CD player--you talk about clearing them out, Beethoven to the rescue! I do have a few asthma booklets and "Feeling Good About Being a Girl" books. The boys eat those up.

DDRN4me · Oct 18, 2008

we do not encourage our kids to stay any longer than necessary! (we are a residential and school facility for kids with psych and behavior issues ) we do have a tv for a diversion when waiting for lab work or if they have injuries etc but if they are sick no tv!

SchoolNurseBSN · Nov 3, 2008

If they are able to do activities - they need to be in class!!!

I will only have students do homework if they are waitng to be picked up for something like pink eye or scabies.

I had a student who had a terrible stomacheache, headache, and he felt dizzy. Yet, he wanted to go to the cafeteria to get some hot cheetos to take home with him. I regretted instantly that i had called his mom and was sending him home. I told her just that when she arrived!

Tilda25 · Nov 10, 2008

I have a couple of books, and very rarely let some of my little ones color if they are sick and waiting on a parent. Most of the time, I try to send them out to the main office to wait for the parent unless they have been throwing up, are running a fever, or need to lay down.