Playgrounds - safe? or too much?

A recent article from Salon questions the lengths that regulations go to ensure safety on the playground. The author feels it may have gotten out of hand. As a school nurse, we’re sure you have your experience with playground injuries. Have you seen a decrease in injury with new equipment/measures? Do you track where the most school injuries occur? Read more about the issue here and then let us know what you think - we value your opinion!

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

“No CPR/DNR” orders in Schools

The AAP has recently stated that they support ‘No CPR’ or ‘DNR’ requests at school. “When children with complex chronic diseases have do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders in place, schools should honor them, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged…To ensure the effectiveness of the plan, the AAP suggested that pediatricians help school and local EMS staff to understand its implementation, calling the school nurse the best ally.” Read more about the issue here. What’s your reaction to this position? Does your school accept ‘No CPR’ or ‘DNR’ orders? What are the obstacles? What has worked?

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

Delegating Diastat

Delegating Diastat

A recent article from California discusses the state Board of Registered Nursing issuing a directive last September advising school nurses statewide not to train teachers and other laypeople to administer the anti-convulsion medication Diastat. According to the state Nurse Practice Act, this medication is not delegatable. The state is set to issue a legal opinion on the policy by the end of this month. Tell us what you think.

Submitted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

School Nurse Gems

Many school nurses have touching, funny or unique stories to tell - little “gems” about their students or their careers, some that make us laugh- others that touch our hearts. Please contribute your “gem” for others to enjoy. School Nurse Digest will feature some in the Digest . Thanks!

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

H1N1 Challenges

As the news is highlighting the work of school nurses in battling and preparing for H1N1 this fall, what have been some of your biggest challenges as a school nurse? Do you feel you’ve recived sufficent information to address H1N1? Are students less ill or more ill than you expected thus far? Will you be giving flu vaccine in your school? Let us know and continue the fine work that you do!

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

School Nurse Image

School nurses are evaluating their image in the media. At the National Association of School Nurses annual conference this year in Boston, MA (June, 2009), keynote speakers addressed the subject. Take a look at a recent article from the Examiner.com on Schools 101: elementary school staff — what do they do? The article states “School nurse: Though most schools can’t afford a full-time nurse, school nurse attend to minor injuries and illnesses, distribute health information, screen for lice and teach health and nutrition.” While school nurses were mentioned, is this the image school nurses wants the public to have of them? Tell us what you think and what you think can be done to update the school nurse image.

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com.

What Do You Think of a Nurse in Every School?

A recent article in the Magic City Morning Star (TN) entitled A Nurse in Every School is a Sick Idea, contends that legislation introduced by the TN legislature to put a nurse in every school makes no sense. The author feels it is too expensive, not necessary and “there will be a significant increase in the number of students who claim sickness so they can go home and play video games.” What’s your opinion? Read the article and weigh in on this issue by posting a repsonse.

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

Are Schools Overreacting to Nut Allergies?

Time magazine recently published an article which questions whether schools are overreacting to children who have nut allergies. The article states” Recently, a Massachusetts school district evacuated a school bus full of 10-year-olds after a stray peanut was found on the floor. Do these safeguards seem a little, well, nuts? Harvard professor Dr. Nicholas Christakis thinks so. One of Christakis’ children attends school in the district that ordered the bus evacuation, and the episode prompted the physician and social scientist — best known for his work on the social ‘contagiousness’ of characteristics such as obesity and happiness — to write a commentary, published in the British Medical Journal, questioning whether these so-called precautions are snowballing into something more like a societal hysteria.” Read the full article here and then tell us how you feel?

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com

Reactions - Insulin Administration in Schools

This blog posted an article that summarized a recent CA decision that supported the administration of insulin in schools by RNs as per the Nurse Practice Act of that state (see below). Response has been widespread - on both sides of the issue. A recent article from a pediatric endocrinologist called support for the premise that “insulin in schools must be given by qualified personnel” “balderdash”. Read the article here. Tell us what you think.

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com.

Using Volunteers as School Nurses

Sioux Falls Catholic School System has never had a school nurse until recently. They have begun a pilot program that has placed 17 volunteer nurses in their schools. The school system has recognized that “there’s a crying need for a school nurse in every school.” The 17 volunteer nurses are not getting paid for their time, but rather are “getting continuing education hours to maintain their nursing license.” The coordinator was quoted in a local paper as saying “We’ve got several who are stay-at-home moms who haven’t worked in several years and don’t want to lose their license. So they are able to log their hours here.” To see the article click here. What do you think of this approach to acquiring school nurses?

Posted by the editors of schoolnurse.com