So, what little things do you do to make your job easier?
A couple of things I do...
*Sponge ice packs: dampen a sponge and place in ziploc sandwich size bag. Freeze. No drips! I like this because you can cut the sponge into different sizes before freezing.
* "Ghost" small ice pack. makes the little ones smile. Good for little boo-boos and to soothe eyes. Put an ice cube in a zip sandwich bag, place paper towel or other absorbent material over bag and twist cube part/fasten with rubber band at the "neck." make a "wooOOOOOoooooo!" sound when you give it to the student.
*Mini Club crackers AKA "magic crackers." The kids actually believe they will cure a stomach ache.
*Freeze pop for little ones who are crying and have a mouth injury. (Bit tongue, hurt lip, etc.) The pop makes them happy and you ice the area at the same time.
*Use plastic wrap to hold a cold pack in place on an ankle, arm etc.
OK, so most of mine involve ice, but hey...We use a LOT!
Sorry. I was unclear. The ice pack is just dishwashing soap. Something about the soap prevents it from getting too hard.
If you see my other post about buddy tape, I think that tape can be used for everything. So if you buddy tape a kid (you know you want to) then you wrap 12 inches of paper tape on a tongue depressor so that they don't come back to you to replace the tape.
When I worked home health we would use Palmolive soap or a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alcohol. Keeps it slushy and molds to the body part.
I use the paper towels that pull out individually - take two of these, fold in thirds, put in a plastic container completely soaked - not too soaked and leave in the fridge. I'll tell the kids - "I don't see anything I would put an ice pack on, but you can have this." They are ready to go and disposable. Unfolded and it is great on the forehead or back of neck.
I no longer buy those tooth saver (expensive $88.20 for 1,000) necklaces. I buy the medication envelopes (1,000/box-$21) and stickers (1000/$18.20) that say "I lost a tooth today." Premade and they last a few years.
When I auscultate a stomachache I also push on the belly. If they react = stomachache, no reaction = too bad so sad (not this harsh, but I am thinking this).
I am considering getting several "NitFree Terminator" combs. When I have a parent with limited funds I am going to loan it out (with a refundable $10 deposit). If the parent wants to keep they are 6.50 in the MacGill catalogue, so I will buy more and give them change from their deposit. This is THE comb for lice/nit removal.
Ah... so my weekend stared out rear ending a car in a white out on my way to my weekend away. The good news is no one was hurt and all the wine was was protected! And we were not hit by flying bottles of wine!!!
Specializes in family practice and school nursing.
Mine do the same thing. Plain water is all I can use
I would refrain from using rubbing alcohol, unless you are supervising the ice pack use until it is done. What if some little darling starts to suck on the ice pack, as mine are apt to do when they start to melt?
When I was working at camp this summer I used dish soap and rubbing alcohol for my ice packs. Which made great ice packs, but were also kind of messy. For those who use dish soap/soap combo, do you have that issue? I have a counter top ice make in my office here at school so I just us plain ol' ice cubes. I am going to get one for camp this summer too.
I keep coloring supplies and coloring pages for kids who need a mental break. I also have a sand/water flippy thing that is mesmerizing to watch. That is a big hit with students AND staff.
I don't know if we are "allowed" to use this. I don't have it.
I LOVE the smell of Vick's, though.
But then teachers would complain of the smell! A teacher sent a kid down to me because he spilled salad dressing on himself and smelled so he needed new clothes.
But then teachers would complain of the smell! A teacher sent a kid down to me because he spilled salad dressing on himself and smelled so he needed new clothes.
txredapple79, BSN
66 Posts
When I worked home health we would use Palmolive soap or a 50/50 mix of water and rubbing alcohol. Keeps it slushy and molds to the body part.