Tips for....

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Sep 28, 2017

Use the tumbling E for KG and the Letters chart for the others. Pass the "E" chart and some headphones that resemble your audiometer headphones to the KG teachers the day before you screen and ask them to "practice" with the students. Hopefully when you screen they'll have some idea of what's going on. You only need to screen 1st graders for AN so, as GdBSN mentioned, don't miss that opportunity while you have them in front of you.
I use paper water cups for occluders and toss them into the trash after each kid.
It would be helpful if you had someone to help wrangle and herd the kids for you.

Passing the equipment around the day before is a great idea. I'll definitely do that. Also, this is the first year I've had K-2nd. I was not aware of the AN screening, so I'm glad y'all mentioned it. Is it just a quick look and you're done, kind of thing?

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Sep 28, 2017

Are you in New York?

I am not. 100% Texas here!!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Sep 28, 2017

I suppose getting the health department to do it is out of the question? :roflmao:

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Sep 28, 2017

We don't screen K for vision as they should've had a vision done prior to starting school, nor do we do height or weight on them. Our SLP does hearing. Our district has a Spot Screener that is AMAZING. Especially for your kids that don't know letters or speak english well, or your spec. ed. kids. And it picks up on a lot more like astimatisms, myopia, hyperopia, as opposed to just pass/fail.

OldDude · Sep 28, 2017

Passing the equipment around the day before is a great idea. I'll definitely do that. Also, this is the first year I've had K-2nd. I was not aware of the AN screening, so I'm glad y'all mentioned it. Is it just a quick look and you're done, kind of thing?

Yes, you don't have to grade the hyperpigmentation, it is "present" or "not present." You'll need to get registered and certified at TRAT2DC RFES Login - Their number is 956-665-8900 for questions. Just identify who has AN and later in the year you can call them in for a height and weight and 2 BP readings for reporting the data to the state.

AN screening is required for 1,3, 5, and 7th grades.

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Sep 28, 2017

I suppose getting the health department to do it is out of the question?

DUDE. I wish I would've looked into that sooner. I may look into that next year if they don't make me full time and/or hire at least one extra nurse. I'd even settle for an aide!

OldDude · Sep 28, 2017

Are you in New York?

I visited New York City once a few years ago. I got a couple pictures of me and my #4 son with some FDNY firefighters and with a couple NYPD officers. 911 Memorial and some other stuff; had a great time. They even have Bud Light way up there!

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Sep 28, 2017

DUDE. I wish I would've looked into that sooner. I may look into that next year if they don't make me full time and/or hire at least one extra nurse. I'd even settle for an aide!

I have a screening day, I don't deal with it. TYL.

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Sep 28, 2017

Yes, you don't have to grade the hyperpigmentation, it is "present" or "not present." You'll need to get registered and certified at TRAT2DC RFES Login - Their number is 956-665-8900 for questions. Just identify who has AN and later in the year you can call them in for a height and weight and 2 BP readings for reporting the data to the state.
AN screening is required for 1,3, 5, and 7th grades.

Thanks, OD!!!

River Song, RN · Sep 28, 2017

Kinders and 1st grade were definitely a challenge! I went to their class and talked to them all before hand so they knew what to expect. Side note: I was surprised at how many 1st graders didn't know their letters confidently enough to use an alphabet chart. I made an announcement in the morning to the whole school that I would be screening until 10 o'clock and please keep anyone in the classroom that could wait until after that time (shocking that it worked and I wasn't full of paper cuts and random aches!) I used Dixie paper cups as occluders and made it a fun game. I needed a translator as a lot of my kiddos don't speak English but could have managed without had I been able to communicate. Patience was the key! I screened in a room in the Kinder hallway so they weren't wandering the school. Older kids I just did in my office.

River Song, RN · Sep 28, 2017

Adding that in the future, I would wait to screen my Kinders and 1st grade til they were farther along in school, I think it would have gone quicker but I had to get everyone screened by mid-September as I have a vision clinic tomorrow where they bring in a big bus with a mobile exam station and eyeglass lab and I had to know who to refer and get consents signed.

Amethya · Sep 29, 2017

screenings... *Rocks back in forth in fetal position*

*shudders*

jk.

Last year for me... was horrendous! It was my first year and every new idea I had was always blocked by "Well the last nurse." And I was expected to it like last year. The last nurse did every kid... one at a time in her office, with the PTO parents helping. It did not work out... it took forever to get the Kinder done and the PTO parents were not helping me, so I was by myself, with 4 kids at a time in my office and it was... NEVER AGAIN!

So this year, I'm doing a new way, and hopefully it works out so well, that we can do it again like this.

I basically told my admin, I'm not the last nurse and we will do it my way. I already set up 2 days of screenings next month, I'm still trying to fix up my idea, but basically I want to get one class at time, from each grade, in the gym.

I already called this program called Eye Care 4 Kids, who do free school screenings for schools and the best part of them is if a child is in need of glasses and are financially unable to, I just fill out this application and send it it. They approve it and pick a doctor for the parent, the parent takes a copy of the application and that covers a free exam and glasses.

So the program does the vision in the gym, and across my gym I have the coaches' office. I'm setting up my hearing stuff there, and I'll do hearing one a time as well, once done, I'll do my AN check and send them on their way.

I'm still thinking if I should do younger to oldest or oldest to youngest? My kid's school does it oldest to youngest, and they do all the school, but I'm only doing mandated grades only because it's easier and it'll take less time.