Working with Pre-K students

[Pre-K School RN]

I just accepted a job with the public school district in the early childhood school. These are 3 and 4 year olds who qualify due to special education needs or for financial reasons. 
What tricks do you have to help pre-k kids be less scared of going to the nurse? I want them to safe in the nurse's office, not terrified they are going to get a shot. Do you wear scrubs with cartoons? Give hugs? Etc?

I'm really excited to start but new to school nursing so any suggestions you have for dealing with this age group are greatly appreciated!

 

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Get down on their level - don't stand above them and talk at them! I often sit the littles on a cot and kneel or squat so I'm actually looking up at them - this is disarming for them. Brush up on age-appropriate language to use with them - words like booboos, tummy, potty, bum, poop, ouchies, etc. will help them feel more relaxed. Cartoons on your scrubs is a fine idea, but you might even consider being more casual if your job site allows it - sometimes scrub pants and a t-shirt or sweatshirt is a good option, because it looks less "clinical". Make your office "homey" as well - soft lighting if possible (with an option to turn them up for assessment purposes, plants, wall hangings, etc. Conceal the scary stuff (tongue depressors, otoscope, stethoscope) or decorate them so they're fun to look at. Easily sanitized distractions - fidgets - are another good choice! 

[Cattz, ADN]

My littles in the Early Childhood Special ED. program were some of my dearest and favorites. My strategy for helping them feel familiar and less scared of me, was to visit their classrooms often. When I did this- I emersed myself into their world, visited with them about whatever they wanted to talk about, talked with them about what they are learning about. I wanted for them to feel comfortable with me as another adult at school that they could trust. 

When they seemed scared - I always said something like, "I don't do anything that would hurt. I have the best nurse job in the world, because I just do nice things and get to visit with you. (or something like this)."

It also helped that the teachers were very welcoming to me popping into their classrooms. The kids saw that their teachers trusted and welcomed me, so this seemed to carry over to the kids.

Good luck in your new adventure!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Stickers. They love stickers. 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Smilie face bandaids.  Filled med cups with water + froze them to use as Boo boo ice. Stickers galore.

State vision screening requirements

Head start  Child Screening & Assessment requirements

Pediatric Nurse: A Crash Course in Talking to Kids