What Does a School Nurse Do All Day?

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What Does a School Nurse Do All Day?

• By Maura M Milner, RN, MEd

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The Basics

• The Nursing Process
• Assessment
• Nursing Diagnosis
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation

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Goals of School Nursing

• Well being of each student
• Advocates for students with health concerns
• Academic success
• Safety Teaching
• Health Teaching
• Case Management
• Collaborate with staff and parents

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Ideal Nurse to Student Ratio

• 750 1 given no health issues
• At Ellis the ratio is 544 1
• This includes students with diabetes, seizure
  disorders, asthma, Psych issues, and more
• On an average day I see about 25-30 students plus
  the diabetics and students receiving medications
  and staff

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Management

• IHP- Individual Health Care Plans
• Immunization Requirements
• Physical Exam Forms
• Emergency Management Planning
• Liaison to home, school, health care providers,
  and community
• Coordinates health care for students in school
• Organizes Flu Clinic for staff

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Educator/Counselor

• Interprets student health needs
• Advocates Wellness (Health Fair)
• Provides Information for families
• Workshops for staff
• Counsels students with health issues
• Classroom resource on health topics
• Educate on self management of health

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IDEA

• Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act
  1990
• Every school has the potential for very medically
  compromised students in their school system
• School nurses are a vital related service under
  IDEA

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Future Goals

• Create a School Health Advisory comprised of a
  pediatrician, a school board member, an
  administrator, the nurse, a community person, a
  student, a parent.
• Development of policy and procedures for the
  health office related to medical issues in school
• Hire a pediatrician as a school physician
  consultant.

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Future Goals

• To offer better pay for school nurse substitutes
  in order to develop a reliable pool.
• Rationale The nurse is a specialist, just as the
  PT ,OT, and Speech therapist are specialist.
  Their services are paid at a higher rate than the
  nurse. School nurses should be recognized for
  their specialty.
• Most nurses who sub at school consider it a
  donation

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Future Goals

• Hire a part time RN
• Rationale This nurse could also substitute,
  become familiar with the students, and help the
  full time nurse
• with paper work, health screening, and field
  trips.

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Personal Thoughts and Goals

• I love working as a school nurse at Ellis
• I feel I have more to offer but no time
• There is a need for Parent teaching regarding
  health issues
• I would like to offer CPR to older students and
  staff
• Have an annual Health Fair for whole school
• I would like more Community Involvement