The healthcare needs of children with chronic illness can be complex and continuous, involving daily management and addressing potential emergencies. According to the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) program, these conditions include chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions, and require special health and support services from school nurses.
With the rise of budget cuts due to COVID funding ending after this 2023-2024 school year, we must do everything possible to raise awareness of the importance of our role. This blog post focuses on our role in managing students’ needs with special healthcare needs. Gathering our data, articulating our interventions in clear, decisive language, and quantifying outcomes that administrators relate to, will make a strong case for continuing to fund school nursing positions. By doing so, we can raise awareness of the critical role school nurses play in supporting the well-being and academic success of students with special healthcare needs.
Here are some examples of categories to consider when gathering your data and accompanying stories to describe your impact:
1. Direct Care and Treatment:
- As school nurses, we are often the first responders for students with chronic health conditions, providing immediate care and treatment when needed.
- Our training includes handling emergencies related to chronic conditions, such as asthma attacks, allergic reactions, or seizures.
2. Coordination of Care:
- We work closely with parents to ensure that the school has up-to-date health forms, prescriptions, and necessary equipment to manage the student’s health condition.
- Coordinating care with healthcare providers is a crucial aspect of our role, ensuring that the school is informed about changes in treatment plans, health status, and medications.
3. Advocacy for Students and Families:
- We serve as advocates for students and families, helping them navigate the school environment and ensuring that the child’s health needs are met.
- Addressing concerns and questions related to the child’s health condition, we provide an additional voice to support them in the school setting.
4. Health Education and Awareness:
- We contribute to educating students, teachers, and staff about chronic health conditions to promote understanding and support.
- Advocating for accommodations, such as allergy-aware environments or specific dietary needs, we support students and parents.
5. Reducing Absenteeism and Improving Academic Achievement:
- Playing a crucial role in reducing chronic absenteeism, we implement healthcare plans and address barriers to regular attendance.
- Our services contribute to higher academic achievement by ensuring that students with chronic health conditions can attend school regularly and receive the necessary support.
6. Case Management and Coordination with Health Systems:
- Acting as a bridge between the school, families, and local health organizations, we ensure access to necessary medical records and information.
- Providing organized case management, we ensure a consistent and high-quality continuum of care for students with chronic health conditions.
7. Developmental Stages and Transition Support:
- Paying attention to the developmental stages of students, we adapt our care to the specific needs of students at different age levels.
- We assist students in transitioning from childhood to adulthood, empowering them to manage their health needs independently as they progress through school.
Our role as school nurses is instrumental in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for students with chronic health conditions. Remember, we are the Chief Wellness Officer (CWO) in our schools, even if that is not our official title!
Beyond immediate care, our responsibilities encompass coordination with parents, and healthcare providers, advocacy, education, and support for academic success. As healthcare professionals within the school setting, we contribute significantly to the overall well-being of students with ongoing health challenges. This is only one piece of the school nurse puzzle. Let’s be the ones to describe our role, and its significance and educate school leaders on the investment in school nursing services. Gather your data and tell your stories!
I have one ask, please share your own experiences or success stories in the comments!
