School nurses' perceptions of and experiences with head lice

Researchers examined school nurses' perceptions of head lice, perceived sel f-efficacy in dealing with head lice, and personal experience in reducing h ead lice problems. Survey data from a two-wave mailing from 382 school nurs es found most nurses supported a "no-nit" rule of forced absenteeism of any child with nirs in their hair (60%). They perceived OTC treatments for hea d lice as very effective in killing adult lice (66%), and 9% perceived them as not effective. Nurses had a high efficacy expectation regarding their a bility to control head lice (63%), and they had high outcome expectations r egarding the results of their work with students and families of students ( 66%). Most nurses received their information about head lice from professio nal journals (76%) and professional conferences/conventions (62%).