I work in a Middle School and get multiple requests for ice daily for a myriad of reasons. They seem to view ice as the cure all for bumps, bruises, aches, twisted limbs, jammed fingers, smashed fingers, stiff necks, insect bites, allergy eyes, canker sores, pimples, headaches, etc.......Some teachers even directly instruct the student to "go to the nurse to get ice". For the most part, after an assessment, I generally comply, regardless if I think they really need it or not (some kids are so "soft" these days), because it gets them back to class and everyone is happy. I do deny a few, especially when the request is totally out of left field and/or visits become habitual and I want to nip it in the bud. I think some kids request ice packs just to get attention.
I do recognize that melting bags of ice can be a safety hazard. And yesterday a student told me that some kids are putting holes in their ice bags and sipping on the water. I've had no complaints from teachers, but I'd like to revisit my ice policy. I once worked with a school nurse who had a motto - "No Redness, No Swelling, No Ice". I know of other school nurses who do not let ice out of the clinic, which cuts down on the number of teachers who send their kids for ice. What are your thoughts on providing ice packs?
It depends on my mood! Haha! I am trying to be better about denying ice packs. I often say, "What would your mom do at home for that little bump on the arm?" and the answer is pretty much never an ice pack...I often go through the "no redness, no swelling, you can move it" check list with them and talk about why we use ice in the first place. I give TLC ice packs to the littles a lot more than to the older kids.
Teachers often say, "Go get an ice pack from the nurse" and it irks me, because kids don't understand why I'm not following the teacher's instructions, but they really shouldn't think that every bump or bruise needs something to make it better. Plus, SO MANY walk away and they do get expensive to replace.
For an insignificant injury or issue I am stingy with the ice. This is an educational moment. Ice decreases swelling or bruising, it does not take pain away. I do give them my patented cold wet paper towel if it is 'not ice pack worthy.' Kinder, maybe even first grade will probably get the icepack. Kids need to learn to self sooth. "Teacher wants me to have an ice pack' - only if it is worthy. I have never had any complaints.
YES! Even at the Middle School level I have kids who cannot or will not self-sooth. Some of my kids have no tolerance for even the smallest amount of discomfort, or perhaps they just want the ice bag to play with in class. And some of the "can I get an ice pack" requests are so out of left field.
Today -
Student: I feel like there is a splinter in my thumb.
Me: How long has this been going on?
Student: About 2 months.
Me: 2 months? (Looking at said thumb and seeing nothing of concern)
Student: Yeah, I can't see anything and my parents can't see anything but I am sure it is there.
Me: Shall I get out my scalpel and cut it open to explore?
I am new to posting here- signed on years ago and would read message boards every now and again. But yesterday I discovered these school nurse boards, and OMG- all of you may just end up making my job bearable!! Lol.
I too, am fairly liberal with the ice packs, but it does depend on my mood. Some days I'm mean nurse and it's all .
I have never seen how wimpy kids are until I worked at a school. Geez, Louise!
I honestly do know that ice may not necessarily always be what is really needed in some situations, but feel that it is an easy fix which gets the kids back to class and it usually shuts them up for the rest of the day. We use 5x7" ziplock bags, fold a brown paper towel into there, and put just a little bit of water. They melt fairly quickly, and I tell the kids that as soon as it melts you can throw it away and then you probably don't even need ice by that time. I only have a mini fridge with a teeny tiny freezer. I keep two small ice trays of ice in there just in case there is a legitimate injury that needs ice. I also have a few of the "break and shake" ice packs for larger injuries. I have thought about doing something reusable, but honesty don't feel like having to track ice packs all throughout the school.
Before I switched to this school I was at a Middle school that had an ice maker- it didn't take me long to figure out that the kids just wanted to eat the ice.
Depends on the kiddo (some want one for a hangnail or to use as a frisbee), how many left in our freezer/fridge (can fit 10-tops!) and how icy it is outside (head injury day). We use our pillow paper to make homemade ice packs-no ice maker here.
If I didn't think it would get very annoying very quickly, I would like to play "Shake it Off" in a continuous loop in my clinic. Because why?? Most of those bumps would be fine if teachers just said "if it still hurts after 5-10 minutes, I will send you to the nurse." Instead of "OH MY GOD - what? you were hit on the arm with a Kleenex. No time for a pass, get down there for a bag of ice as quick as you can, run child, run!!"
I saw the title on the "popular threads" list and clicked on it thinking it was going to be "your thoughts on ice... cream"! lol
I have many thoughts on ice cream :) but as I have never been a school nurse, no thoughts on giving out ice packs. However hearing about kids opening them would have me worried, too. But real ice is probably not practical. So overall, my apologies, I have nothing helpful to add.
I saw the title on the "popular threads" list and clicked on it thinking it was going to be "your thoughts on ice... cream"! lol
I have many thoughts on ice cream :) but as I have never been a school nurse, no thoughts on giving out ice packs. However hearing about kids opening them would have me worried, too. But real ice is probably not practical. So overall, my apologies, I have nothing helpful to add.
I saw the title on the "popular threads" list and clicked on it thinking it was going to be "your thoughts on ice... cream"! lol
I have many thoughts on ice cream :) but as I have never been a school nurse, no thoughts on giving out ice packs. However hearing about kids opening them would have me worried, too. But real ice is probably not practical. So overall, my apologies, I have nothing helpful to add.
LOL I use "Shake it Off" on my 7 year old all the time, accompanied by a quick hug, of course, because she is my baby. It works. The pain from the majority of boo-boos is short lived. I wonder how many kids start to feel better as soon as they walk out of the class, but continue to come see me anyway?
I have the reusable cool-packs and hand them out freely in lieu of kissing the booboo. That way I've "done" something and everybody is happy; student, teacher, and parent, when the kid goes home and tells them about it - versus - kid going home and telling the parent about it along with the nurse didn't do anything.
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cynmrn
124 Posts
It depends on my mood! Haha! I am trying to be better about denying ice packs. I often say, "What would your mom do at home for that little bump on the arm?" and the answer is pretty much never an ice pack...I often go through the "no redness, no swelling, you can move it" check list with them and talk about why we use ice in the first place. I give TLC ice packs to the littles a lot more than to the older kids.
Teachers often say, "Go get an ice pack from the nurse" and it irks me, because kids don't understand why I'm not following the teacher's instructions, but they really shouldn't think that every bump or bruise needs something to make it better. Plus, SO MANY walk away and they do get expensive to replace.