Yet another lice topic

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Oct 16, 2015

I wouldn't refuse, but I am spoiled. My school is small, numerous staff kids and a handful of staff. We had an outbreak right before spring break. I had just started and we do lots of whole school activities, where kids are literally head to head and in each others laps. Huge opportunity to teach. I don't mind, but my load is light comparably. I referred all staff and parents to licehappens.com, a site for a business started by 2 (school?) nurses. Very heavy on instruction, to the point that they kind of teach you that if you can't afford it, their expensive stuff isn't necessary. Maybe send out an email directing them to that info?

OldDude · Oct 16, 2015

I don't refuse to check them because I take the opportunity to lead them to believe they have lice until I tell them I'm just kidding. While I'm looking I'll throw in a couple of "hmmmms" and "that's peculiar" and "let me look at that closer" followed by NOPE, don't see anything!! Hey, Nurse Barb G would do the same thing!!

Jolie, BSN · Oct 17, 2015

I have too much to do in a day to waste time on non-sense like checking teachers' heads. I encourage you to ask a few evidence-based questions such as:

Have you shared hair care equipment with the student? Have you shared hats, pillowcases or shampoo towels with the student? If no, then a head check is completely unnecessary.

As far as a parent calling asking for a child to be checked: If s/he answers yes to any of the above questions regarding the child, then I would invite Mom and Dad to my office for a head-check demonstration. I'd be happy to teach them what to look for and what to do if lice are found, but no way I'm doing it for them.

Soapbox warning: Nurses are typically the sole health care providers in schools. It is our responsibility to both our clientele and our profession to act according the current scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice. When asked to do stupid things that have no basis in science or public health, it is our responsibility to say, "No!" Otherwise, we are failing at our duty to educate and to base our practice on scientific standards.

Stepping down now :)

allnurses Guide · Oct 17, 2015

I don't check staff members or even do head checks in classrooms . . . . :no:

I agree with Jolie's post. :up:

Farawyn · Oct 18, 2015

I don't refuse to check them because I take the opportunity to lead them to believe they have lice until I tell them I'm just kidding. While I'm looking I'll throw in a couple of "hmmmms" and "that's peculiar" and "let me look at that closer" followed by NOPE, don't see anything!! Hey, Nurse Barb G would do the same thing!!

Not too many teachers come in to me for this... But the next time someone does, I'm soooo doing this!

abc123RN · Oct 19, 2015

I don't refuse to check them because I take the opportunity to lead them to believe they have lice until I tell them I'm just kidding. While I'm looking I'll throw in a couple of "hmmmms" and "that's peculiar" and "let me look at that closer" followed by NOPE, don't see anything!! Hey, Nurse Barb G would do the same thing!!

Just give them a Saltine...instant cure for head lice!

ohiobobcat · Oct 22, 2015

I just had a teacher come in and ask me to check her. First time in my 3 years here.

She asked if I would check her for lice. "I've been exposed."

It turns out her nieces and nephews have lice. She hasn't slept there, they haven't slept at her house.

I educated and sent her on her way. But she looked at me and said "Your answer is NO?!?!" when I responded to her initial question.