Lice Check

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I'm curious, how long do you search a child's head for lice? I generally look for nits first, and once those are located (usually easy to find), I begin looking closer for the crawlers. If I don't find obvious nits, I do a quick look behind the ears, neck, etc. and send them on their way.

So on Thursday one of the aides comes in with a student and says, "she has crawlers, I saw one while trying to put her hair in a pony tail. This little girl (short, dark, curly (though thin) hair) wasn't infested, in fact, I had to really look hard to even find a nit (had only a couple).. it took a good five minutes to locate the crawler (yep, it was there).

So, next morning teacher escorts child to me to re-check, I searched for another good 8 minutes and didn't find anything. Sent the kid to class. Later in the afternoon, the teachers comes with a louse taped to a card to prove the kid still had lice!

Seriously, the aides in this class must have magic lighting, or are literally spending all day looking for lice to find that one louse left behind by mom's treatment.

The teacher kind of had an attitude that I didn't do my 'job' and locate the louse in the morning.

Sooo, how long do you spend looking for lice in the absence of nits?

[GmaPearl BSN RN]

You did your due diligence and in good faith sent the kid to class. That teacher needs to do her job and teach!

[SnowyJ, RN]

This is EXACTLY why I feel being expected to check whole classrooms is silly. The amount of time I would need to fully check each student would result in way too much time away from my normal (busy) work day. Add in eye fatigue, and "the nurse already checked me" being told to parents can give a false sense of security. To answer your question, I will spend a few minutes checking a child for lice or nits. That is all.

It sounds to me like you did all you could to check the child in question. If others want to be the LICE POLICE, tell them to go right ahead. But personally? I don't work that way, and I've had to say so to numerous lice phobic staff members.

[Cattz, ADN]

Just a few minutes. This infuriates me for you. You did do your job. The teacher and the aide need to do their jobs. I would get admin on board with you. What is your school policy?

[Farawyn]

Just a few minutes. This infuriates me for you. You did do your job. The teacher and the aide need to do their jobs. I would get admin on board with you. What is your school policy?

Get 'em, Cattz!