The Impact of Distress, Personal Meaning & Training on the Delivery of Support to Grieving Students by School Nurses

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110412
Author(s):  
Thomas Demaria ◽  
Rich Gilman ◽  
Donna Mazyck ◽  
David Schonfeld
Keyword(s):  
School Leadership ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Personal Meaning ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Personal Distress ◽  
The Impact

Supporting grieving students is part of a school nurse’s role which can provide meaning or special purpose in their career. This was verified by an online survey completed by 648 school nurse members of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). A majority of respondents felt personal distress as a result of their work with grieving students which was predicted by a lack of access to work/community resources available and a lower level of educational background of the school nurse. Training to support grieving students and a higher level of educational background of the school nurse, however, appeared to predict a greater level of personal meaning found in school nurses’ support of grieving students. Level of support by school leadership provided to school nurses in their support of grieving students was also found to be related to both the personal distress experienced and the personal meaning derived by school nurses.

The Effects of Budget, Delegation, and Other Variables on the Future of School Nursing

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 352-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa M. Tetuan ◽  
Cynthia G. Akagi
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Nursing ◽  
Metropolitan Statistical Area ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Nursing Experience ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Statistical Area

The purpose of this exploratory research study was to survey Kansas school nurses to determine the impact of budget, delegation, and other variables on the future of school nursing. Issues of education and certification status, educational budget, delegation, school nurse-to-student ratio, number of school buildings assigned, Metropolitan Statistical Area, and years of school nursing experience were also investigated. The Budget Impact School Nurse Questionnaire online survey was used to gather data. Findings revealed that school nurses were well prepared academically, but that many school nurses lacked certification. The use of UAPs and the future of school nursing were significantly affected by budget constraints, delegation, number of buildings assigned, legislative contact, and Metropolitan Statistical Area (urban location). Education in delegation and years of experience as a school nurse significantly affected opportunities for health education. The findings depicted budget, school nurse staffing, delegation, and geographic areas as the main variables that have an impact on school nursing.

scholarly journals School Nurse Perspectives on COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052199205
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Hoke ◽  
Chelsea M. Keller ◽  
William A. Calo ◽  
Deepa L. Sekhar ◽  
Erik B. Lehman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
School Building ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Returning To School ◽  
The Impact

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.

The Evolution of the Role of U.S. School Nurses in Adolescent Mental Health at the Individual, Community, and Systems Level: An Integrative Review

2022 ◽  
pp. 105984052110681
Author(s):  
Ashwini R. Hoskote ◽  
Emily Croce ◽  
Karen E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
School Nursing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

School nurses are crucial to addressing adolescent mental health, yet evidence concerning their evolving role has not been synthesized to understand interventions across levels of practice (i.e., individual, community, systems). We conducted an integrative review of school nurse roles in mental health in the U.S. related to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. Only 18 articles were identified, published from 1970 to 2019, and primarily described school nurses practicing interventions at the individual level, yet it was unclear whether they were always evidence-based. Although mental health concerns have increased over the years, the dearth of rigorous studies made it difficult to determine the impact of school nurse interventions on student mental health outcomes and school nurses continue to feel unprepared and under supported in this area. More research is needed to establish best practices and systems to support school nursing practice in addressing mental health at all levels of practice.

Association of Presence of a School Nurse With Increased Sixth-Grade Immunization Rates in Low-Income Arizona Schools in 2014–2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 360-368
Author(s):  
J. Mac McCullough ◽  
Rebecca Sunenshine ◽  
Ramona Rusinak ◽  
Patty Mead ◽  
Bob England
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Level ◽  
Licensed Practical Nurse ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Immunization Rates ◽  
The Impact

School nurses often play large roles in implementation of school vaccination requirements aimed at controlling the spread of communicable disease. We analyzed the association between the presence of a school nurse and school-level vaccination rates in Arizona. Using school-level data from Arizona sixth-grade schools ( n = 749), we regressed average sixth-grade school-level immunization rates on presence of a school nurse (registered nurse [RN] or licensed practical nurse [LPN]) and school-level socioeconomic status (SES), controlling for other school- and district-level characteristics. Schools with a nurse had higher overall vaccination rates than those without a nurse (96.1% vs. 95.0%, p < .01). For schools in the lowest SES quartile, the presence of a school nurse was associated with approximately 2 percentage point higher immunization rates. These findings add to the growing literature that defines the impact of school nurses on student health status and outcomes, emphasizing the value of school nurses, especially in lower SES schools.

School Nurses Can Improve the Lives of Students With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 372-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Friedman ◽  
Beth Mattey ◽  
Faith Newton
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Erroneous Belief ◽  
The Impact

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic illness that is defined and diagnosed by its symptoms: extreme fatigue made worse by physical and mental activity, pain and decreased mental stamina, among others. A long-held, erroneous belief that ME/CFS is not a physiological illness has persisted among some clinicians, leading to the denial of a patient’s physical illness and attributing the symptoms to other causes. The debilitating effects of ME/CFS in the pediatric population can affect all aspects of academic, social, emotional, and physical development. ME/CFS has been diagnosed in children younger than 10 years. Therefore, the school nurse is likely to encounter one or more students in the various stages of this disease, putting the school nurse in a position to ameliorate the impact of this potentially devastating chronic condition.

School Nurse Perceptions of Student Anxiety

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela A. Muggeo ◽  
Golda S. Ginsburg
Keyword(s):  
Screening Tool ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Somatic Complaints ◽  
Mental Health Issue ◽  
Nurse Training ◽  
Student Anxiety ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
N 93 ◽  
Hallmark Feature

Anxiety disorders are common in youth. Because somatic complaints are a hallmark feature of anxiety, these students frequently visit their school nurse, creating an ideal opportunity for nurses to identify and assist them. In an effort to better understand current practices, we surveyed a large sample ( N = 93) of school nurses. Results indicated that the majority of nurses perceived anxiety as the most prevalent mental health issue in their students. Moreover, the majority of nurses reported that they did not use any formal screening tool or intervention protocol and stated wanting to expand their training in anxiety intervention. These data suggest that school nurses identify anxiety as a top problem but do not receive adequate training to address it. Data from this survey may be used to plan how best to fill gaps in nurse training and practices that can enhance nurses’ capacity to optimize outcomes for anxious students.

Elementary School Nurse Interventions: Attendance and Health Outcomes

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny C. Weismuller ◽  
Merry A. Grasska ◽  
Marilyn Alexander ◽  
Catherine G. White ◽  
Pat Kramer
Keyword(s):  
School Attendance ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Elementary Student ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Nursing Interventions ◽  
Record System ◽  
Regular School ◽  
Student Absenteeism ◽  
The Impact

Regular school attendance is a necessary part of the learning process; student absenteeism has a direct association with poor academic performance. School nurses can influence student attendance. This study describes the impact of school nurse interventions on student absenteeism and student health. A retrospective review of 240 randomly selected elementary student health folders and attendance records was conducted. School nurses were involved with 75% of high-absence students as compared to 66% of low-absence students; they were also more involved with students who had previously identified health conditions. There were no referrals to the school nurse for absenteeism and school nurse interventions were not targeted to attendance, despite 17% of students missing 11 or more school days. Nursing documentation was sparse and primarily task related. Few records contained entries of nursing diagnoses, interventions, or outcomes. Of the 134 interventions provided, only 56 (41.2%) had some information about the condition outcome, but it was insufficient to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions. Furthermore, the record system did not support the collection of standard information for interventions or outcomes from which effectiveness could be determined. Recommendations include establishment of an attendance referral policy and improved documentation systems, including the use of standardized nursing language to demonstrate student outcomes.

scholarly journals Personal experience, posttraumatic symptomatology, and meaning in life during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Y. Arredondo ◽  
B. Caparrós
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Personal Meaning ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Subjective Distress ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Posttraumatic Symptomatology

Abstract Background The traumatic subjective distress and personal meaning in life were examined in the context of the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic sanitary crisis and home lockdown. Method: A total of 543 participants answered an online survey that included questions about the individual characteristics of the pandemic experience, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Personal Meaning Profile-Brief. Results: Nearly all of life impaired areas, having the suspicion of being ill with COVID-19, having lost a close person to this virus, and having been accompanied during the lockdown were experiences associated with higher PTSD symptoms. Posttraumatic symptomatology was inversely correlated with areas of meaning in life. Lastly, a higher number of affected areas and a negative subjective lockdown circumstance explained greater total PTSD symptoms. Conclusion: Specific pandemic experiences and lockdown circumstances affected the presence of posttraumatic symptoms. The personal meaning of life seems to be involved in the process of less adverse traumatic consequences.

scholarly journals School Nurses’ Reports on Reopening Roles, Practices, and Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic at the Start of the 2020–2021 School Year

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110548
Author(s):  
Jenny M. Gormley ◽  
Vanessa Poirier ◽  
Kathleen A. Hassey ◽  
Maria Van Pelt ◽  
Lichuan Ye
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impact ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Educational Impact ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
School Year ◽  
Before School

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to U.S. school systems since March 2020. To facilitate our understanding of how school nurses participated in school reopening and what support school nurses needed beginning the 2020–2021 school year during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a national survey in late summer 2020. A sample of 747 school nurses from 43 states responded to an online survey about roles, practices, and concerns. Over one-third (36.9%) reported not being included in school reopening planning. Mitigation practices reported by respondents primarily included measuring temperatures of students before school (21.3%), mask wearing by students (79.9%), and 6 feet social distancing (76.7%). The respondents’ greatest concerns were the educational impact on students with individualized education plans, parents sending children to school with COVID-19 symptoms, and the economic impact on families. Our results point to opportunities for greater school nurse involvement, improvements in practices, and measures to address school nurses’ concerns.

Use of Licensed Vocational Nurses in California Schools: A Descriptive Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 105984051988741
Author(s):  
Rachel McClanahan ◽  
Penny C. Weismuller ◽  
Sandra Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Nursing ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
California Schools

The demand for schools to provide complex health-care services for students with chronic conditions has induced districts to hire licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). Questions remain about how overlapping responsibilities and skills of nursing staff works to facilitate care. The purpose of this mixed-methods descriptive study was to examine the use of LVNs to identify factors related to the supports and impediments to school nurse (SN) practice. The sample consisted of members of the California School Nurse Organization, and methodologies consisted of an online survey and one-on-one interviews. LVNs perform duties within their scope of practice, allowing SNs time for activities related to the Framework for 21st Century School Nursing PracticeTM, confirming appropriate use, and alignment with National Association of School Nurses guidance on the utilization of LVNs. Identified areas of concern included role definition and orientation and supervision of the LVN. Insights into best practices for the effective addition of the LVN to the team are provided.

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