School Nurse Book Clubs: An Innovative Strategy for Lifelong Learning

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Greenawald ◽  
Theresa M. Adams

Recognizing the ongoing need for continuing education for school nurses, the authors discuss the use of school nurse book clubs as an innovative lifelong-learning strategy. Current research supports the use of literature in nursing education. This article discusses the benefits of book club participation for school nurses and includes suggested fiction and nonfiction books that can be used to enhance nursing knowledge and practice. Through reading and discussion, school nurses can increase their knowledge of nursing history and current health care issues, thus becoming better prepared to address challenging issues that arise in practice. In addition, the use of literature as a learning strategy allows school nurses to broaden their understanding of unique cultural factors that influence the health beliefs and practices of students and their families. Book club participation can also assist school nurses in honing leadership and communication skills and becoming energized to become better advocates for children and families.

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110129
Author(s):  
Krista Schroeder ◽  
Ally Young ◽  
Gail Adman ◽  
Ann Marie Ashmeade ◽  
Estherlyn Bonas ◽  
...  

This study assessed associations between school nurse workload and student health and academic outcomes. We hypothesized that lower school nurse workload would be associated with better student outcomes, with associations being greater for members of groups who experience health disparities. Our methods entailed secondary analysis of data for New York City school students in kindergarten through 12th grade during 2015–2016 ( N = 1,080,923), using multilevel multivariate regression as the analytic approach. Results demonstrated lower school nurse workload was associated with better outcomes for student participation in asthma education but not chronic absenteeism, early dismissals, health office visits, immunization compliance, academic achievement, or overweight/obesity. Our findings suggest school nurses may influence proximal outcomes, such as participation in disease-related education, more easily than downstream outcomes, such as absenteeism or obesity. While contrary to our hypotheses, results align with the fact that school nurses deliver community-based, population health–focused care that is inherently complex, multilevel, and directly impacted by social determinants of health. Future research should explore school nurses’ perspectives on what factors influence their workload and how they can best impact student outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 416-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Altinoluk-Davis ◽  
S Gray ◽  
I Bray

Abstract Background This study assesses whether increased coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination differs between areas where school nurses deliver catch-up MMR doses to adolescents in school settings, compared to signposting to general practice. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Child Health Information Services records within the NHS England South (South Central) commissioning boundary. The sample population included children born 1 September 2000–31 August 2001, in school year 9 during the 2014–15 academic year. Results The primary outcome findings show an increase in coverage of at least one dose of MMR by 1.6% (n = 334) in the cohort receiving catch-up MMR, compared to 0.2% (n = 12) in the cohort signposted to general practice. Over time, the difference in increase between the two cohorts was 1.4%, analysed using the chi-squared comparison of proportions test, providing strong evidence (P < 0.0001) that school nurse delivery of catch-up MMR is effective at increasing coverage. The findings also suggest that school nurse delivery of catch-up MMR may benefit Black, Asian and minority ethnic children and those from more deprived backgrounds. Conclusions It is recommended that commissioners of school-aged immunization services incorporate the delivery of catch-up MMR doses in their contracts with school nurses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052199205
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Hoke ◽  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
William A. Calo ◽  
Deepa L. Sekhar ◽  
Erik B. Lehman ◽  
...  

Pennsylvania responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by closing schools and moving to online instruction in March 2020. We surveyed Pennsylvania school nurses ( N = 350) in May 2020 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on nurses’ concerns about returning to school and impact on practice. Data were analyzed using χ2 tests and regression analyses. Urban school nurses were more concerned about returning to the school building without a COVID-19 vaccine than rural nurses ( OR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.05, 2.38]). Nurses in urban locales were more likely to report being asked for guidance on COVID-19 ( OR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.06, 2.68]), modify communication practices ( OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.42, 3.82]), and be “very/extremely concerned” about their safety ( OR = 2.16, 95% CI [1.35, 3.44]). Locale and student density are important factors to consider when resuming in-person instruction; however, schools should recognize school nurses for their vital role in health communication to assist in pandemic preparedness and response.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-172
Author(s):  
Lisa Frey Blume ◽  
Shannon Lines

Electronic, or “e”-cigarette use has been adopted by an alarming number of teens in recent years. E-cigarettes are neither legal for youth nor considered safe for use by youth. E-cigarette companies have targeted youth in their marketing strategies and developed appealing flavors with high nicotine content to ensure dependence on their products. Schools lack adequate resources and capacity to address e-cigarette use, relying mostly on punitive sanctions for what is essentially a health issue. School nurses can help their districts and schools by navigating appropriate consequences for vaping, providing accurate information and education, providing cessation resources, advocating for student support, and informing stakeholders on population health strategies to prevent initiation and reduce youth e-cigarette use.


BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Wing Han Chan ◽  
Fiona Wing Ki Tang ◽  
Ka Ming Chow ◽  
Cho Lee Wong

Abstract Background Developing students’ generic capabilities is a major goal of university education as it can help to equip students with life-long learning skills and promote holistic personal development. However, traditional didactic teaching has not been very successful in achieving this aim. Kember and Leung’s Teaching and Learning Model suggests an interactive learning environment has a strong impact on developing students’ generic capabilities. Metacognitive awareness is also known to be related to generic capability development. This study aimed to assess changes on the development of generic capabilities and metacognitive awareness after the introduction of active learning strategy among nursing students. Methods This study adopted a quasi-experimental single group, matched pre- and posttest design. It was conducted in a school of nursing at a university in Hong Kong. Active learning approaches included the flipped classroom (an emphasis on pre-reading) and enhanced lectures (the breaking down of a long lecture into several mini-lectures and supplemented by interactive learning activities) were introduced in a foundational nursing course. The Capabilities Subscale of the Student Engagement Questionnaire and the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory were administered to two hundred students at the start (T0) and at the end of the course (T1). A paired t-test was performed to examine the changes in general capabilities and metacognitive awareness between T0 and T1. Results A total of 139 paired pre- and post-study responses (69.5 %) were received. Significant improvements were observed in the critical thinking (p < 0.001), creative thinking (p = 0.03), problem-solving (p < 0.001) and communication skills (p = 0.04) with the implementation of active learning. Significant changes were also observed in knowledge of cognition (p < 0.001) and regulation of cognition (p < 0.001) in the metacognitive awareness scales. Conclusions Active learning is a novel and effective teaching approach that can be applied in the nursing education field. It has great potential to enhance students’ development of generic capabilities and metacognitive awareness.


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Borgmeyer ◽  
Patricia Jamerson ◽  
Patricia Gyr ◽  
Nina Westhus ◽  
Emily Glynn

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in American schoolchildren, and school nurses play a valuable role in its management. A study was conducted in which school nurses were asked to describe their role in caring for students with asthma and their use of Asthma Action Plans (AAPs). The nurses indicated that they frequently provided direct care and education. They were comfortable with providing care to students with asthma and familiar with AAPs. Having an AAP increased their confidence in managing students with asthma. This emphasizes the need for continued education regarding the AAP and the development of policies that direct care and encourage use of an AAP at school.


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