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Important change to childhood immunization schedule: Pneumococcal

The 2024 ACIP immunization schedule for children and adolescents includes an important change regarding pneumococcal vaccine guidance. In addition to all children 2 – 23 months, pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for children with moderate persistent or severe persistent asthma aged 2 to 18 years. Patients who are asthmatic and previously only vaccinated with PCV13 or PCV15 shouldContinue reading “Important change to childhood immunization schedule: Pneumococcal”

Fragrances, air fresheners and essential oils

I think most of us are guilty of wanting our environment to smell comforting, pleasant, relaxing or clean. I happen to love a good “clean cotton” scent or a medicinal healthy eucalyptus, others enjoy their favorite perfume or cologne as part of their morning routine… but is it appropriate in a school or healthcare setting?Continue reading “Fragrances, air fresheners and essential oils”

How To Go Out In Public: An Instructional Series. Part 1: Walking in Public

Ever leave the house and see other people behaving ridiculously and wonder “did no one ever teach that person how to person?” Well, probably no, no one ever taught that person how to be a person or told them life rules and manners like some of us were told like how to cross the street,Continue reading “How To Go Out In Public: An Instructional Series. Part 1: Walking in Public”

Health Room Supplies

You asked for it: Here is a rundown of supplies you may need or want in your health room. Bandages/First aid: Assessment & Tools Miscellaneous: Medications All medications suggested are based on your district/states guidelines. Some may be able to stock lots of things and others may not be allowed to have anything. Check yourContinue reading “Health Room Supplies”

Energy Drinks

Thanks, Logan Paul for creating this Prime drink and marketing it to kids who don’t know that it’s not safe for them. We have been noticing an uptick in students bringing various energy drinks to school and we are worried. They make them in flashy cans and bottles, with awesome flavors like cotton candy orContinue reading “Energy Drinks”

Vaping: They Thought It Was Supposed To Be Safer.

Remember when vaping and e-cigarettes came on the scene and everyone was thrilled that they could now “smoke” with virtually NO ill effects? So healthy! People indoors, “smoking” fruity flavored, cotton candy, apple pie flavored oils because it’s a healthy alternative to getting your nicotine in AND you can do it indoors right in people’sContinue reading “Vaping: They Thought It Was Supposed To Be Safer.”

Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Hearing Screens

Screenings are one of the most important jobs school nurses do. We are often the first to determine that a student may need glasses or hearing assistance to improve their education. The who and the when of screenings will depend on the state and district in which you are working. To find out who needsContinue reading “Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Hearing Screens”

Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Vision Screens

Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Sore Throats

Sore throats: everyone seems to have them at the same time. What’s causing them, what are we looking for and what can we do about it? Sore throats can be benign much of the time – from post nasal drip, too much talking, allergies, environmental irritation, or random unnamed viruses. But at times they canContinue reading “Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Sore Throats”

Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Ears

Something I think many school nurses struggle with – myself included – is looking in ears. What are we looking at in there and why does it matter when RNs can’t diagnose or prescribe anyway? Well we can certainly look and assess and determine if the student needs to have further evaluation at the doctorContinue reading “Assessment Basics for the School Nurse: Ears”