Minor Questions

Specialties School

Published

If there is already something like this, please let me know, but I thought there could be a thread for minor questions that we would feel silly to start an entire topic for. I know there are a lot of newbie school nurses who cling to this forum so I thought it might be a nice spot for our side concerns.

An example: do you have your students clean their inhalers after each use? In the hospital, not a single one of my patients EVER did this. None of the students seem especially inclined to do it except for one who does it every time with a tissue.

Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..

After 20ish years of doing vision screenings--I have been doing A LOT of thinking about this specific topic-- When kids pass a vision screen, but there seems to be a problem. I would HIGHLY recommend they child get a Eye exam. I have attached a handout that I got from one of my local Optometrists. It is worth at least 1,000 words.

Also, if you aren't familiar with Vision Therapy. I highly recommend you do some googling and read up on it.

One thing that I am proposing, is that when the paperwork is in process for an IEP and I am asked for vision screening results-- If a student has passed my screenings, and there is still concerns that may lead to an IEP...I strongly feel that the paperwork shouldn't proceed without a Vision Exam. The reason I feel this way, is that, school vision screening in general. Is just what is says "a screening". Yes, it is a great tool to catch the big things on a lot of kids relatively quickly. But, if a student still isn't achieving to their potential...I want to make absolutely sure that it is not related to an undiagnosed vision disorder.

Any thoughts from your experience??

A child that sees this can pass a vision screening.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School.
After 20ish years of doing vision screenings--I have been doing A LOT of thinking about this specific topic-- When kids pass a vision screen, but there seems to be a problem. I would HIGHLY recommend they child get a Eye exam. I have attached a handout that I got from one of my local Optometrists. It is worth at least 1,000 words.

Also, if you aren't familiar with Vision Therapy. I highly recommend you do some googling and read up on it.

One thing that I am proposing, is that when the paperwork is in process for an IEP and I am asked for vision screening results-- If a student has passed my screenings, and there is still concerns that may lead to an IEP...I strongly feel that the paperwork shouldn't proceed without a Vision Exam. The reason I feel this way, is that, school vision screening in general. Is just what is says "a screening". Yes, it is a great tool to catch the big things on a lot of kids relatively quickly. But, if a student still isn't achieving to their potential...I want to make absolutely sure that it is not related to an undiagnosed vision disorder.

Any thoughts from your experience??

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NCSN.

Thank you Cattz for sharing. I'm going to put this in my office

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
After 20ish years of doing vision screenings--I have been doing A LOT of thinking about this specific topic-- When kids pass a vision screen, but there seems to be a problem. I would HIGHLY recommend they child get a Eye exam. I have attached a handout that I got from one of my local Optometrists. It is worth at least 1,000 words.

Also, if you aren't familiar with Vision Therapy. I highly recommend you do some googling and read up on it.

One thing that I am proposing, is that when the paperwork is in process for an IEP and I am asked for vision screening results-- If a student has passed my screenings, and there is still concerns that may lead to an IEP...I strongly feel that the paperwork shouldn't proceed without a Vision Exam. The reason I feel this way, is that, school vision screening in general. Is just what is says "a screening". Yes, it is a great tool to catch the big things on a lot of kids relatively quickly. But, if a student still isn't achieving to their potential...I want to make absolutely sure that it is not related to an undiagnosed vision disorder.

Any thoughts from your experience??

love this! I explain to parents all the time that what I do is a quick and simple screening and nothing more and fore really good quality results they MUST see an optometrist. I don't play favorites either. Walmart vision center is fine. I will discuss the finer points of using the Costco/BJ's / Sam's Club optical center without having a membership. (sam;s club has the cheapest prices near me for what it's worth)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
love this! I explain to parents all the time that what I do is a quick and simple screening and nothing more and fore really good quality results they MUST see an optometrist. I don't play favorites either. Walmart vision center is fine. I will discuss the finer points of using the Costco/BJ's / Sam's Club optical center without having a membership. (sam;s club has the cheapest prices near me for what it's worth)

I usually toss out a recommendation for Zenni Optical online for a back up pair of glasses. The amount of glasses at the lost and found table is astounding. With Zenni you just need your prescription, their frames are great quality and very affordable. My husband and I both order from them. My last pair was $38 and the are great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
I usually toss out a recommendation for Zenni Optical online for a back up pair of glasses. The amount of glasses at the lost and found table is astounding. With Zenni you just need your prescription, their frames are great quality and very affordable. My husband and I both order from them. My last pair was $38 and the are great.

YES! I love Zenni. I highly recommend everyone who may need it to check it out. I have told many friends and family about them. AND- it just so happens that their ad has popped up on my AN page. I love my glasses that I got from them, and they were about $800.00 cheaper than the ones that cost an arm and a leg (what my insurance and I paid) from the Optometrist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
YES! I love Zenni. I highly recommend everyone who may need it to check it out. I have told many friends and family about them. AND- it just so happens that their ad has popped up on my AN page. I love my glasses that I got from them, and they were about $800.00 cheaper than the ones that cost an arm and a leg (what my insurance and I paid) from the Optometrist.

I also use Zenni to get glasses for students in need. Love 'em.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

Another minor question (may seem silly to seasoned school nurses): Do you call for EVERY head bump? I do, even for the ones without sign of injury who feel fine after sitting with an ice pack for a bit, but I wonder what others do. It feels silly even to me. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school/military/OR/home health.

With head injuries I call if there is a mark or the kid has s/s of concussion (obvi!) and needs to go for evaluation. Otherwise I send my head injury letter. It's in one of these threads.

We need a "forms" thread for all the awesome forms and charts and helpful pictures posted!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NCSN.
Another minor question (may seem silly to seasoned school nurses): Do you call for EVERY head bump? I do, even for the ones without sign of injury who feel fine after sitting with an ice pack for a bit, but I wonder what others do. It feels silly even to me. Thanks!

I feel the same. I tried doing letters, but they never seem to make it home (I got called once a week later because a parent found a letter wadded up on the bottom of her little ones backpack)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.
Another minor question (may seem silly to seasoned school nurses): Do you call for EVERY head bump? I do, even for the ones without sign of injury who feel fine after sitting with an ice pack for a bit, but I wonder what others do. It feels silly even to me. Thanks!

I'm in a K-3 building, so I do. I didn't one day on a (fairly) reliable 2nd grader, but did send a detailed letter home & the kid forgot her "take home folder" that day. Mom was a little upset. After that, I decided it's not worth getting chewed out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I do call for every head bump. I make sure I cover the bases so I don't get fooled.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment