Teachers and Ice

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I am so tired of teachers demanding that I give ice packs. I know it seems minor but not every injury needs ice! The other day a teacher went to the principal. He walked in here while I was on the phone with a parent, went to my freezer and got a pack. I went to him later, thinking someone was hurt. He said "No, I took care of it." I found out later it was for a child who just left my office. No red marks, no bruising, no swelling. I just get so tired of it. I stay very consistent as to when I give ice. This cuts way down on another excuse to get out of class.

That's all, just needed to get that off my chest to someone who can understand!! Thank you.

In an elementary school I worked in we used wet paper towels in zip lock bags (frozen in the freezer) as an "ice pack".

You could also go to the school cafeteria and pre-make ice packs using the cafeteria ice maker. Make a whole bunch and put them in the freezer for the week.

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Specializes in LTC.

The worse is when a student comes to the HR to get an ice pack for his teacher who is a grown man acting like a little girl ! The teacher bumped his head on something and there was no mark or swelling and he wanted ice !

I gave it to the big baby cause I didn't feel like dealing with any hard feelings.

This is the same teacher who wants my alcohol swabs to clean keyboards from computers ! I told him no ! I have a diabetic that I check his BGL and give insulin and I'm not giving you alcohol swabs when my diabetic needs them the most.

Teachers get me sometimes !

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This year I took 50 bucks out of my budget and bought a small ice maker. I add water every morning and it maked a days worth of ice in about 20 minutes. Once it gets warm out and we have more playground injuries, I go through 2 cycles. Definatly worth the fifty bucks.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE.....HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO AL OUR MOMS

P.S. The shift key on my keyboard is broken so I cant use my exclimation,, or any other sign. It's been that kind of week.

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Specializes in school nursing.
This year I took 50 bucks out of my budget and bought a small ice maker. I add water every morning and it maked a days worth of ice in about 20 minutes. Once it gets warm out and we have more playground injuries, I go through 2 cycles. Definatly worth the fifty bucks.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE.....HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO AL OUR MOMS

P.S. The shift key on my keyboard is broken so I cant use my exclimation,, or any other sign. It's been that kind of week.

Good idea. However, do you get a lot of staff members coming in wanting ice for their drinks????

I keep an insulated bag of ice in my office and make packs as I need them. My freezer is way too small. I have actually had teachers want some for their coca cola so they don't have to walk to the cafeteria.

EWWWWWWWWWW!!!! No!!!!!!

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Specializes in School Nursing.
this year i took 50 bucks out of my budget and bought a small ice maker. i add water every morning and it maked a days worth of ice in about 20 minutes. once it gets warm out and we have more playground injuries, i go through 2 cycles. definatly worth the fifty bucks.

happy friday everyone.....happy mothers day to al our moms

p.s. the shift key on my keyboard is broken so i cant use my exclimation,, or any other sign. it's been that kind of week.

great idea ! where did you get a $50 buck icemaker? i would love to have one.

praiser :heartbeat

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I have to admit, I'm one of the nurses that does hand out ice pretty frequently. It's just something to let the student feel validated for his/her complaint.

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Specializes in Community Health,Pediatric, School nursi.

A few years ago, the nurses in our district were so fed up with the 'ice issue', that we sent out a notice to all teachers that in the future, any student that needed ice would have to sit in the nurses office while applying the ice. No ice would be sent back with students. It took about one week of disruption in the classrooms before we noticed a significant decrease in the "need' for ice. It was crazy in the nurses office for that first week, but it was worth it.

Another suggestion that works in my school-send out an e-mail to all staff stating the specific criteria used to determine if ice is needed. In that e-mail, emphasize to the staff that there are definite liability issues when a nonlicensed staff member assesses and "treats" an injury (esp. when there is a nurse present in the building).

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I never thought about it before, but I always make them stay in the office when applying ice packs (I have several of the gel packs, and if they leave with them I may never see them again). I have had a couple of kids with bad sprains whose parents could not come, and I do let them take it to class with them, but other than those rare cases, they get 5-10 minutes in my office with it then back to class!

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Specializes in Coronary Care, School Nurse.

The teachers always want to use "medical ice" for their drinks. So last week, I added a good amount of salt to the bag of ice cubes. I clearly marked the ice "medical use only! Do not eat" No one has admitted to trying it yet. If they do, their drinks will be ruined. Lesson learned!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

funny how no matter where we are, we all have the same issues! i also have the "teacher told me i need ice". :grn:

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Specializes in school nursing.
The teachers always want to use "medical ice" for their drinks. So last week, I added a good amount of salt to the bag of ice cubes. I clearly marked the ice "medical use only! Do not eat" No one has admitted to trying it yet. If they do, their drinks will be ruined. Lesson learned!

:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Corrections, Rehab, School Health.

PS- I came to AllNurses today to ask you what you use for ice packs-- it's time to make out the classroom supply lists for next year. I do not have real ice available to me. The sponges are bulky and hard. I'm thinking of freezing paper towels in a baggie. Not very fashionable, is it??

Whew. It's Friday.

My school district gives us a box of "ice packs" at the start of the semester. They con some kids into making them or something... dunno.

Anyway they are a paper towel folded in half inside a ziplock baggie... then I just pull a few out every morning, put some water in them, and freeze them. :up: Works wonderfully! And I don't have to worry about not getting them back! Also works great for warm compresses too... put a little water in and stick it in the microwave a few seconds (or just warm water from the faucet).

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