Otoscopes

[aetienn6]

I was wondering what kind of otoscopes other school nurses are using. This is my first year as a school nurse and I didn't realize that was something that I could use within my scope of practice. I 'm an LPN and I've never used one before so I never got one. I need one that is not too complicated but that is good enough quality for me to reliably see what I need to see and refer children to doctors as needed. Also I am hoping for one that is less than $100. It is mid year already and I want to put the order in before winter break.

[fetch, BSN, RN]

I inherited the Riester Otoscope from the previous nurse - could never figure that thing out! Passed it back along to the district and ordered a Piccolight - very easy to use, light weight, has gotten dropped a couple times and didn't break, plus it was only $120 (well within my budget).

Both of those are available from the School Health catalog/website.

[sallykitty]

I don't look in ears and do not have a scope. Many of the schools I subbed in also did not have one.

[aetienn6]

I don't look in ears and do not have a scope. Many of the schools I subbed in also did not have one.

Ahh okay. I do not have one because I do not work for the school district and idk if their district nurses use one plus both school health supply lists I consulted in the beginning of the year did not list one as one of my needed instruments. I didn't start to think I might need one until the staff and admin here started asking me for one then I came on here and saw that a lot of school nurses have them.

[aetienn6]

I inherited the Riester Otoscope from the previous nurse - could never figure that thing out! Passed it back along to the district and ordered a Piccolight - very easy to use, light weight, has gotten dropped a couple times and didn't break, plus it was only $120 (well within my budget).

Both of those are available from the School Health catalog/website.

Okay, will keep this one in mind!

[SassyTachyRN]

I inherited the Riester Otoscope from the previous nurse - could never figure that thing out! Passed it back along to the district and ordered a Piccolight - very easy to use, light weight, has gotten dropped a couple times and didn't break, plus it was only $120 (well within my budget).

Both of those are available from the School Health catalog/website.

Our entire district has Piccolights also, they are awesome!

[Wave Watcher]

I do have one but I am very careful when using it. It wouldn't take much to damage an ear with one of you don't know how to use it.

[Windchaser22]

You may want to check your state board of nursing if your not sure about limits on scope of practice. My understanding from the NJBON is that assessment is not part of an LPN scope (regardless of ability or a zillion years experience). Just saying you might want to use caution.

[aetienn6]

You may want to check your state board of nursing if your not sure about limits on scope of practice. My understanding from the NJBON is that assessment is not part of an LPN scope (regardless of ability or a zillion years experience). Just saying you might want to use caution.

That's the problem!! I live in Florida with a BON scope of practice for nurses that is completely vague and essentially useless. I have refrained from doing certain things because I feel like all of the leeway leaves me more vulnerable to legal issues. Kind of makes it hard to do my job as well. I will keep the piccolight in mind but I think I will consult with the district liaison about me using an otoscope. Thanks for your input everyone!

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I have a Welch Allen, in NH we can use them and I do. We cannot, by limits on scope of practice use a curette to remove items, I wil sometimes remove easily movable wax in order to better assess the canal.