Guess what I got to do today. Hint: lice related

[rbytsdy]

So today I got to do...

FULL CLASSROOM LICE CHECKS!!!!

Because it's so "best practice." It's so "evidence-based."

Thank heavens I did since I found 0 cases of lice among 150 students I checked.

On Friday I found 2 different kids in 2 different K classrooms with lice. The first one, I de-loused with a comb since I know the family well. The 2nd I called home for.

Over the weekend, we had 2 parents discover lice in their kids hair and go *******. They posted pictures of their kids on facebook getting their heads shaved in the back (girls). The poor kids are completely traumatized. They kept their kids home until today screaming at me and the principal for letting this happen. We caved on Monday and sent out a lice letter to the school (school policy is to send home a notice when there are 2 or more cases in 1 classroom). That afternoon, I found a 3rd student in 2nd grade. Letter was already on it's way home.

Hell broke loose that afternoon. People were calling me "idiot" and "jerk" for not letting them know sooner. Huh? Then more parents came forward saying their kids had lice multiple times this year but they never got a notice. I had no idea these kids had lice. Parents never called me. I talked to one of the parents and she said she was too embarrassed to call me but she knew that other parents were letting me know. Uh, no they didn't. She said she doesn't think I'm a liar but she has insider information so she knows the school was informed. Uhm, I'm as "insider" as it gets.

As of this morning, we had 3 confirmed (by me) and 3 reported (by parents) cases of lice in the school. We have over 500 kids. Someone call the media. There is CLEARLY a town epidemic!!!!

So parents started freaking out calling the Department of Health, the Superintendent and the Board of Ed I was directed by administration to perform full class lice checks in 5 classrooms. I protested but told me I had no choice. They brought in trash bags to bag the belongings of a 2nd grade class.

I'm seriously thinking about calling out tomorrow. Why hire a nurse if you won't listen to her professional recommendations?

Meanwhile, I can't get the yearly assessments done. I can't keep up with the referrals from the assessments I've done (you know - vision referrals that might actually impact a student's ability to learn). But let's make sure I am available to do full class lice checks.

Someone please help me lower my blood pressure. Or kindly share a Xanax.

Oh, and did I mention all cases of lice were found in the town cheerleaders??? But the school is responsible for all cases and failing to notify parents of the cases we weren't actually aware of.

[Farawyn]

Idiot and Jerk?

Are you ******* kidding me???

NO NO NO. That is BS.

Don't do the full check again. Give me a BREAK.

I'm so sorry. This sounds terrible.

[rbytsdy]

It is such BS. I cannot believe my practice is dictated by making parents happy. They are planning to show up the next BOE to complain about the lice and the lack of information we send home about lice cases. Someone wants to argue for the no-nits policy to be re-established.

I am beyond angry about this.

[Farawyn]

It is such BS. I cannot believe my practice is dictated by making parents happy. They are planning to show up the next BOE to complain about the lice and the lack of information we send home about lice cases. Someone wants to argue for the no-nits policy to be re-established.

I am beyond angry about this.

Document your ass off. The board listens to the parents since they are the voters.

Ugh.

[rbytsdy]

Yes to documentation!!! But 150 kids worth of documentation. yay

[Farawyn]

Yes to documentation!!! But 150 kids worth of documentation. yay

Document by class? Heavy documentation on the kids that had it. Crystal clear handouts for the BOE meetings.

Scary.

Parents are so afraid.

I mean, I am, too, but not of lice.

[OldDude]

Geez, you've done more than enough. Maybe the school should close.

[tining, BSN, RN]

What does the district/school policy state? These are rules that everyone agreed upon - school board/parents/nurses/teachers. If your district is still in the dark ages and expects classroom checks & no nit policy then unfortunately you have to deal. I personally don't think this is fair and they are throwing you under the bus. This is a witch hunt. Do you have a nurse leader or other admin that can support you? Refer the calls to them as you have clearly been on the front lines and getting close to PTSD. I think I would leave this district if you can.

Are you a NASN member? The nurses need to represent with evidence to support you and others at the next BOE.

[Cattz, ADN]

Yes to documentation!!! But 150 kids worth of documentation. yay

If it would help you at all. I have a form to document specific kids and what evidence of lice is found on specific kids. I can't attach it, but, I would be happy to share it with you. If you can attach it, maybe you can share it with the rest of the cool kids on here, in case it would be helpful to someone.

I am so sorry. I remember being in the hot seat many, many times through the years over something so stupid. It is pretty tough to keep cool about it, but you know what you know, and you can't help the stupidity of others, who are less informed and don't want it any other way.

Hugs to you. Hang in there. We are all here breathing with you.

[NanaPoo]

These are crazy people. Seriously.

They need a good dose of science.

http://www.pediatricnursing.net/ce/2016/article4005226235.pdf

CDC - Lice - Head Lice - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If all else fails, tell the parents in order to protect themselves from head lice, they should secure a tight plastic bag around their heads and necks and breathe in deeply. Secure and hold bag in place for a minimum of 30 minutes.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I posted this in another thread, but it also belongs here:

and

But seriously, OP. This is terrible. This is why stigma about lice exists.

[amoLucia]

Geez, you've done more than enough. Maybe the school should close.

I've a radical idea -

Why don't you disband cheerleading?!?!? Make up some fact-finding report that cheerleading squad (and assoc environs) are believed to be the source of your outbreak. And cheerleading will be suspended until further notice ...

I'd bet that'll get them howling!

Yeah, I know that HIPAA stuff has to be tippy-toed around but I think the ban on the 'Cheerleading Creampuff Cotillion' will yank chain. But then, I'd bet the non-CCC will have no problem with a ban.