Do you want to be a School Nurse? Here's what's needed

Nurses have been a part of the school setting since the late 1800’s when they provided student inspections to identify those with communicable diseases needing treatment. With the widespread use of antibiotics and vaccines to prevent common childhood diseases the role of the school nurse has evolved to a new level. 

Students with chronic diseases, mental health issues and high-risk behaviors have driven school nurses to gain expertise not only in public health but also in pediatric and mental health nursing. Additionally, the need for nursing services in the school setting increased with the passage of Public Health Law 94-142 in 1975, requiring the mainstreaming of physically and mentally challenged students into the general student population

A later version of P.L. 94-142, known also as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), did not specifically fund school nurses, but a ruling by the Supreme Court in 1999 confirmed that nursing services were to be provided by the school district for students needing nursing care. Under IDEA regulations, school nurses provide nursing assessments for students in special education programs as well as deliver nursing services for students in need of procedures such as gastrostomy tube feedings, clean intermittent catheterizations, tracheostomy care, and others. 

Roles: 

The primary role of the school nurse is to support student learning. The nurse accomplishes this by implementing strategies that promote student and staff health and safety. The nurse takes a leadership role in serving as the coordinator of all school health programs in the following manner:

• Health Services -- serves as the coordinator of the health services program and provides nursing care
• Health Education -- provides health education to students, staff and parents
• Healthy Environment -- identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment and promotes a nurturing social environment
• Nutritional Services -- supports healthy food services programs
• Physical Education/Activity -- promotes healthy physical education, sports policies and practices
• Counseling -- provides health counseling, assesses mental health needs, provides interventions and refers students to appropriate school staff or community agencies
• Parent/Community Involvement -- promotes community involvement in assuring a healthy school, serves as school liaison to a health advisory committee.
• Staff Wellness -- provides health education and counseling, promote healthy activities and environment for school staff
  

As the health services expert, the school nurse serves as the health professional for the school community. Some of the services provided include: illness and injury assessments and interventions; health assessments and participation in development of Individualized Education Plan for students with special needs; pediatric nursing procedures such as gastrostomy tube feedings, tracheostomy care, and catheterization; screening for health factors impacting student learning; activities to promote health and prevent teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, tobacco, alcohol and substance use and abuse; chronic disease management and education, administering medications; crisis team participation; recommending health curricula and guidelines for school district health policies; and serving as a health care provider liaison between the school and community. 

Specialties:

School nursing is recognized as a specialty nursing area and has become more clearly defined with the development of standards of practice. Additionally, school nurses might further specialize their practice with a focus on children with special needs, early childhood programs, elementary or secondary age children, adolescents, or students with high-risk behaviors. Many states require school nurse certification either through the Department of Education or Health. National certification is available through a national board. 

Practice Settings:

School nurses practice in schools throughout the United States and overseas military bases in settings that include:

• Elementary schools
• Middle schools
• Junior High schools
• High schools, Alternative schools
• Private schools
• Parochial schools
• Pre-schools
• Vocational schools
  

Qualifications:

The National Association of School Nurses recommends that all school nurses have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree and achieve School Nurse Certification.

The school nurse needs expertise in pediatric, public health and mental health nursing and must possess strong health promotion, assessment, and referral skills. School nurses also need to have knowledge of laws in education and health care that impact children in the school setting. 

The school nurse works independently in the school setting to provide health care and education primarily to students and needs strong skills in critical thinking, decision-making, communication, individual and classroom education, and child advocacy. 

Education:

Many educators responsible for hiring nurses are not aware of the various levels of nursing preparation. Consequently nurses in the school setting range from LPNs to PhDs, many with practitioner training and/or licensing. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a minimum of baccalaureate preparation for school nurses. 

Salary Range:

In the1999-2000 school year, school nurses nationally earned salaries ranging between $20,000 and more than $70,000 across a range of job assignments. The majority of school nurses earn salaries between $28,000 and $49,000 based on a nine- month contract. 

Associations:

National Association of School Nurses
111 Cantril Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
(303) 663-2329
FAX: (303) 663-0403
e-mail: nasn@nasn.org
Web site: www.nasn.org


American Public Health Association: School Nurse Section
800 I Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-3710
(202) 777-2742
FAX: (202) 777-2534
Website: www.apha.org

How to Attract More Men to the Nursing Profession

From all who are in the nursing profession, you can hear one word. Nursing is a rewardig career besides the good pay and all the jobs that are out there. Why are men not rushing down the doors of nursing schools trying to get in? A California RN with some years of experience can expect to make up to $66,000. Recruiting these high-pay nurses is not a problem. In addition to the flexible schedules they have, they are offered bonuses to keep them happy. Emergency hospitals and the state need them. You may be asking why more men are not nurses considering how much money they expect to make.

What is clear is that men have worked as nurses for many years in this country and elsewhere. What some industry insiders are saying is about what's keeping them out is the perception of male nurses. First, what needs to happen is an attitude change. Negative attitudes about male nurses need to change. Obviously, they are stereotypical behaviors that should not be condoned. For example, young boys grow up with the ideas that women are nurses. Even among adults, you will hear about stereotyped roles such as "a woman is a nurse" whereas a man is "a male nurse." Nursing should encourage gender-free role and language. Another thing that keeps men from being nurses is the lack of information about what nurses do on a daily basis. Yes, they can be overworked and understaffed. Many regular people do not get the full story about what nurses do. They do many fun things. They do not only change bedpans. They help doctors make decisions about the best possible care for patients. What needs to happen is a positive campaign that needs to take place in the media. This way, we will not talk about shortage of nurses in the country. The health care system will work better.

What needs to happen to change attitudes about the nursing profession?

Misconceptions must be corrected. Accurate and current info must be provided about the industry. A nurse can work in a variety of settings such as trauma rehabilitation unit, intensive care unit, emergency ward or departments, primary care department and even in Fortune 500 companies, schools and private institutions. Once the public is educated about the value, the independence and rewarding experience of being a nurse, the stereotypes will change. From the school counselors to the job recruiters, more attention should be granted to men who want to have a career change. It would be very helpful if they could get some scholarships to help them out. If men want a lucrative career, nursing is the solution.

So who is man enough to be a nurse?

Men who are carin and compassionate should apply. Men and women of various ethnic and religious backgrounds should apply. The healthcare system wants people of color to become nurses too. Why should they stay away?

Men as well as women will come to the nursing profession for the same reasons. Studies show that they want to care for the sick and injured people. They want a challenging profession, job security and higher standards of living. Some changes are overdue. To recruit men, we as a society need to change the image, culture and language of nursing. Even nursing textbooks publishers need to approve some books by male writers. So far, the majority of textbooks are written by female authors.