DQ-M5-Reply

Romeo C posted:

          According to Clark (2015), the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) has specified school nursing as focused area of practice that encourages and cultivates the health of students as well as their academic accomplishments. Major components a nurse’s role in the school setting are to facilitate normal development, promoting the health of students, fostering safety and a healthy school environment, providing quality care for potential and identified health problems. and providing case management services based on sound clinical judgment and collaborating with others to enhance student and family capabilities (Clark, 2015).

            The NASN defines school nursing as a focused practice of professional nursing that improves the well-being, academic achievement, and lifelong accomplishment of students (American Academy of Pediatricians, 2008). Besides the student’s home, the school represents the second most effective environment in a student's life (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008). As more students go to schools with health or mental health problems, there lies the challenge to managing their care throughout the school day (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008). The school nurse is the health care advocate in the school (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008).

          School nurses play an important role in the school health program by addressing the main health problems experienced by the students. This job responsibility comprises of delivering preventative and screening services, health teaching and help with decision-making about health, and immunization against preventable diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008).

School nurses may be responsible for interventions for acute and chronic illness, injuries and emergencies, communicable diseases, obesity, substance use and abuse, adolescent pregnancy, mental health, dental disease, nutrition, and sexually transmitted infections (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008).

I had the chance to talk to a family friend who happens to work as a school nurse in our township. She has been working as a school nurse in our township’s elementary and middle school for 18 years. She started as a medical-surgical nurse at the main hospital and worked there for 8 years. Then she found her niche working as a part-time school nurse at first. Eventually, she found the passion to serve the young student population and never looked back. According to her, the Township School District in our community currently oversees the elementary, middle, and high schools within their jurisdiction. Each of these schools are assigned at least one school nurse daily. She reports and to the Building Principal and Supervisor of Health/Physical Education and Nursing. Her job description entails her to work cooperatively with the school staff and parents while providing routine and emergency medical services. She takes care of students with moderate to severe medical impairments, and administering medications to students, directed by a licensed physician,

According to her part of her function as a school nurse as directed by the school administration included conducting daily inspections of students during times of an epidemic and contagious disease. It is also the responsibility of the school nurse to maintain that line of communication with the parents of students who become ill and/or injured. The school also teaches and conducts health and safety drills, such as fire drills and disaster drills, as well as active shooter situation exercises when scheduled by the building principal.

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