Lice... why lice?

[Amethya]

Basically put, I got told that a Kinder student had lice. So I had to check that class, which is fine. But the teacher was demanding I check 1st grade and such because they were together ONCE outside. I tried to explain that lice don't jump or fly to anyone, only if the children jump on themselves and rub each other's head or share jackets, no way it can happen. She got on my case and told me it's my job and I should do it. I'm like, it's my job, but I'm not going to check all the classes just because of ONE student. As OD said, you are not going to check for fevers just because of one student having a fever.Then I'm told this student had a sibling in 4th grade, so guess who has to check ALL of 4th grade now? THIS ONE!

It's like, HOW CAN I PUT IT IN THEIR TINY HEADS, I DO NOT NEED TO CHECK EVERY CHILD FOR LICE!?!?!

Rant over.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I have teachers that fall into 4 categories:

Veterans who are over it

Veterans who still think that lice fly - and hence panic

Novice teachers that send the kids for everything and PANIC - UTTER PANIC - at the thought of lice

Novice teachers who wouldn't realize a head full of nits from a head full of dreams

[Farawyn]

Based on the link you all provided, our 3 district nurses are doing a major overhaul on our lice protocol.

Thank you!

[Cattz, ADN]

Flare said:

I have teachers that fall into 4 categories:

Veterans who are over it

Veterans who still think that lice fly - and hence panic

Novice teachers that send the kids for everything and PANIC - UTTER PANIC - at the thought of lice

Novice teachers who wouldn't realize a head full of nits from a head full of dreams

Flare- I just love the way you write things!!!! There are sooooo many times that what you say is what I have been thinking. I am just not near as good at putting it into words as you!! So, THANK YOU!

[Farawyn]

Flare said:

I have teachers that fall into 4 categories:

Veterans who are over it

Veterans who still think that lice fly - and hence panic

Novice teachers that send the kids for everything and PANIC - UTTER PANIC - at the thought of lice

Novice teachers who wouldn't realize a head full of nits from a head full of dreams

Ahahhaaaaaa!!!

[Amethya]

So I did a small speech today with the K and 1st. I basically educated them with personal space, not sharing items and we can prevent lice. As soon as I explained that these little lice don't fly or jump, they climb on people, they literally scooted away from each other and I wanted to laugh. It's like, yay! It's working!

[Kitiger, RN]

LikeTheDeadSea said:

I've sent this to people before. I'll literally print it out and put it in their front office mailboxes

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

This is a wonderful article!

Thank you.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Have you tried handing out the CDC Head Lice fact sheet?

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

[icepak]

We have not checked classrooms for years! The evidence does not support doing this. Teachers should not be telling you how to do your job. We don't tell them how to teach so they need to respect your professional opinion. You are the health expert in the building.

[ABRN2012]

Flare said:

i have teachers that fall into 4 categories:

Veterans who are over it

Veterans who still think that lice fly - and hence panic

Novice teachers that send the kids for everything and PANIC - UTTER PANIC - at the thought of lice

Novice teachers who wouldn't realize a head full of nits from a head full of dreams

This!!!!!! Yes!!!!! And I about spewed my coffee on my desk with that last line. But so good!

[Amethya]

icepak said:

We have not checked classrooms for years! The evidence does not support doing this. Teachers should not be telling you how to do your job. We don't tell them how to teach so they need to respect your professional opinion. You are the health expert in the building.

If my boss says I have to do it, I have to do it. Even if I'm the "health expert". I tried to throw this case to my Nurse Manager and she told me that if my school wants me to do a lice check, I have to do it. Which is ridiculous. So I just half-*** it and do the only grades I know are important and that's it. Last year they wanted me to check ALL of the school because of a couple of siblings in K, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th. So I had to check ALL THE CLASSES, because they shared rooms. So all I did was check the classes that were important, and the other classes just so they could shut up and I just said I did all the school, even though I didn't.

[Amethya]

Another case today, Mommy told me that LD is getting it from school because she's only seen adult lice on her and rarely any eggs and I'm like, what? Kid has been itchy today, but her body not head. So I told mother not to bring her to school until she's clean and I'll check her class. Told the teachers and explained the situation, that I'll check just her class, but if there's nothing, we shouldn't be worried. I just think she just has it, not anyone else but I'll just check to make sure.

[algae1492]

I send general notification letters to all classrooms of affected student home to parents. It also includes a handout on pediculosis. I only assess students suspected of possessing lice by written referral. Even then, the student with lice will remain in school unless parent requests to pick him/her up.