scholarly journals Collaboration Between a School Nurse Task Force and the Local Health Department in Illinois: Development of a COVID-19 Toolkit

2021 ◽  
pp. 1942602X2110152
Author(s):  
Donna J. Kunz ◽  
Martha S. Manno ◽  
Dawn M. Ruffatti ◽  
Suzanne L. Blohm ◽  
Amelia A. Wuerger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
School Health ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Health Department ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Public Health Officials

Multidisciplinary collaboration for healthy student outcomes is not a new concept for school nurses nor is working with public health officials in promoting school–community initiatives. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, coronavirus disease 2019) virus further highlighted the need to work together to promote best practice strategies to arm the community with information and guidance to prevent illness. The McHenry County Health Department recognized the expertise school nurses have in school health and formed a voluntary School Nurse Task Force. This collaboration worked to implement requirements for operating a school during a pandemic. The task force adapted those concepts into a toolkit to assist schools to meet health requirements throughout the most significant pandemic in over 100 years.

The Smallpox Threat: The School Nurse’s Role

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 260-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Martin ◽  
Judy Didion
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
School Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Local Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
School Health Policy

Today, with the threat of bioterrorism and war, there is a new dimension to the traditional role of the school nurse. The smallpox threat to public health will invoke the school nurse’s role as an educator, liaison, and consultant in the community. This article discusses smallpox, the vaccination process, adverse effects, and postvaccination care. In addition to the role of educator, the school nurse has the role of a liaison between the school and the local health department. The school nurse also plays a vital role in school health policy development and implementation. Being prepared and educated makes our nation less vulnerable to these threats and will assist in keeping our children and communities safe.

The Association of School Nurse Workload With Student Health and Academic Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110129
Author(s):  
Krista Schroeder ◽  
Ally Young ◽  
Gail Adman ◽  
Ann Marie Ashmeade ◽  
Estherlyn Bonas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Health ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nurse Workload

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.

The American Academy of Pediatrics POLICY STATEMENT

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-129 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Policy Statement ◽  
School Health Services ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Special Health Care ◽  
Special Health

The school nurse has a crucial role in the provision of school health services. This statement describes the school nurse as a member of the school health services team and its relation to children with special health care needs. Recommendations for the professional preparation and education of school nurses also are provided.

scholarly journals A School Nurse Competency Framework for Continuing Education

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Eun Mi Shin ◽  
Young Sook Roh
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
School Health ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Patient Centered

Background: This study develops a school nurse competency framework for continuing education based on focus group interviews and a literature review. Methods: This study uses a qualitative content analysis with 12 school nurses. Six school nurses verify the content validity for the competency framework for continuing education using the content validity index. Results: School nurse competencies are defined as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of school nurses to provide safe school nursing. Six core competencies are identified. These include the ability to (1) provide patient-centered care; (2) communicate and collaborate with students, teaching staff, and community resources; (3) think critically for evidence-based practice; (4) implement school health services and programs; (5) integrate legal and ethical nursing practice, and (6) conduct health education. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop and implement continuing education programs for school nurses based on the training needs and competency indicators identified in this study.

School health is community health: school nursing in the early twentieth century in the USA

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-149
Author(s):  
Rima D. Apple
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
School Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Nursing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Historical Essay ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evolution of school nursing in the USA in the early decades of the twentieth century, highlighting the linkages between schools and public health and the challenges nurses faced. Design/methodology/approach This historical essay examines the discussions about school nursing and school nurses’ descriptions of their work. Findings In the Progressive period, though the responsibilities of school nurse were never clearly defined, nurses quickly became accepted, respected members of the school, with few objecting to their practices. Nonetheless, nurses consistently faced financial complications that limited, and continue to limit, their effectiveness in schools and communities. Originality/value Few histories of school health have documented the critical role nurses have played and their important, although contested, position today. This paper points to the obstacles restricting the development of dynamic school nurse programs today.

School Nurse Summer Institute: A Model for Professional Development

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Neighbors ◽  
Kathleen Barta
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
School Nursing ◽  
Coalition Building ◽  
Nursing Educators ◽  
Professional Development Model ◽  
Leadership Components

The components of a professional development model designed to empower school nurses to become leaders in school health services is described. The model was implemented during a 3-day professional development institute that included clinical and leadership components, especially coalition building, with two follow-up sessions in the fall and spring. Coalition building is an important tool to enhance the influence of the school nurse in improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. School nurses and nursing educators with expertise in the specialty of school nursing could replicate this model in their own regions.

The United Kingdom National Healthy School Standard: A Framework for Strengthening the School Nurse Role

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly K. Wicklander
Keyword(s):  
School Health ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Nurse Role ◽  
School Health Programs ◽  
Standard Framework ◽  
School Standard

The purpose of this review is to analyze the school nursing role within the National Healthy School Standard (NHSS) in the United Kingdom with a view toward clarifying and strengthening the role of school nurses globally. Within the National Healthy School Standard framework, school nurses serve an integral role in linking health and education partnerships to promote effective school health programs. School nurse contributions to the National Healthy School Standard, as well as barriers and supports, are discussed. Additionally, the methods school nurses implement to partner, to manage service delivery, and to work with schools are outlined. The central role of school nurses within the National Healthy School Standard framework provides a guide for school nurses in the United States to demonstrate their importance as key players in healthy schools that promote health and education. The framework deserves recognition as a foundational model to help strengthen both the school nurse role and school health programs around the world.

School Nurse Communication Effectiveness With Physicians and Satisfaction With School Health Services

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie E. Volkman ◽  
Marianne M. Hillemeier
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Communication Effectiveness ◽  
School Health Services ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
State Education

This study examined school nurses’ communication with community physicians and its relationship to school nurse satisfaction with school health services. A stratified random sample of school nurses in Pennsylvania ( N = 615) were surveyed about communication effectiveness with community physicians, satisfaction with school health services for students, perception of leadership, and students’ health care needs. Additional information from national/state education data on student poverty, nurse-to-student ratio, and rural/urban location was included. Findings indicate that having a leadership role in influencing school health policy is related to school nurses’ communication with community physicians and satisfaction with school health services. Effective communication with physicians was found to be a salient issue influencing satisfaction with school health services, suggesting the importance of stressing communication as well as leadership skills in school nurse education.

Demonstrating the Relationship Between School Nurse Workload and Student Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Daughtry ◽  
Martha Keehner Engelke
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
School Nurse ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Evaluation Plan ◽  
Nurse Workload ◽  
Nurse Assignment ◽  
The Relationship

This article describes how one very large, diverse school district developed a Student Acuity Tool for School Nurse Assignment and used a logic model to successfully advocate for additional school nurse positions. The logic model included three student outcomes that were evaluated: provide medications and procedures safely and accurately, increase the number of students with a medical home, and increase the number of students with chronic illness that receive case management. Pairing a staffing formula with an evaluation plan that focuses on student outcomes and the priorities of the school district provides a strong case that school nurses are essential and that they contribute to student success.

scholarly journals Local Health Department Planning for a Radiological Emergency: An Application of the AHP2 Tool to Emergency Preparedness Prioritization

2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (6_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 136-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Dalnoki-Veress ◽  
Chris McKallagat ◽  
Amy Klebesadal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Radiological Emergency ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Chain Of Command ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Transfer Of Information

Objective. We tested the Analytical Hierarchy Process tool for its use in public health to identify potential gaps in emergency preparedness by local health departments (LHDs) in California and Hawaii during a radiological emergency. Methods. We developed a dedicated tool called All-Hazards Preparedness Squared (AHP2) that can be used by those who are responsible for all-hazards preparedness planning and response to guide them while making strategic decisions both in preparing for and responding to a slow-moving incident while it is unfolding. The tool is an Internet-based survey that can be distributed among teams responsible for emergency preparedness and response. Twenty-eight participants from 16 LHDs in California and Hawaii responsible for coordinating preparedness and response in a radiological emergency participated in using the tool in 2013. We used the data to compare the perceived importance of different elements of preparedness among participants and identify gaps in preparedness of their organizations for meeting the challenges presented by a radiological incident. Results. Clarity of information and transfer of information (to and from agency to public, state, and federal partners) were public health officials' dominant concerns while responding to an emergency. Participants also found that there were gaps in the adequacy of training and awareness of the chain of command during a radiological emergency. Conclusion. This preliminary study indicates that the AHP2 tool could be used for decision making in all-hazards preparedness planning and response.

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