As back-to-school season approaches, children around the country will be making their way back into classrooms and, on some occasions, the nurse’s office.
Whether your child visits the school nurse on occasion to treat a scrape or a stomachache or needs more regular care to manage chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or allergies, you should take note of the school’s health care capabilities and staff qualifications, according to Sandi Delack, the president of the National Association of School Nurses and a middle school nurse in Rhode Island.
“A lot of parents don’t realize that the person sitting in that health clinic might not be a nurse; they might just be the person assigned to put on Band-Aids and call parents,” Delack said.
Just as parents often inquire about their child’s teacher, parents should educate themselves on what medical services the school provides and who staffs the office, Delack said. Ideally, the school will have a full-time registered nurse — not a licensed practical nurse, who are valuable adjuncts to RNs but should not be practicing individually in schools, according to Delack.
The majority of U.S. schools lack a nurse on-site each day. Nationwide, just 45 percent of schools have a full-time nurse. A quarter of schools have no nurse at all, often relying on secretaries or other school employees to administer medications and take temperatures.
School by school and state by state, the landscape is even more varied, according to NASN. In Vermont, there is one school nurse for every 311 students. In Michigan, that ratio is one nurse for every 4,836 students. (To see how your state stacks up, see this fact sheet from NASN.) The organization recommends at least one nurse for every 750 well students, more for student populations with special needs.
“We are certainly seeing a lot of kids that previously would have been in more therapeutic settings coming into public schools,” Delack said. “This increases the need for a professional school nurse on-site all day, every day.”
If your child needs medications or special care during the school day, Delack suggests you work with the school nurse to develop an individualized health care plan.
For a child with diabetes, this might include determining an acceptable range of blood sugar levels and working with the physical education and cafeteria staff, as well as the child’s doctor, to ensure appropriate levels are maintained.
If parents are not satisfied with school health care, Delack said the parent should first discuss the problem with the nurse or staff directly. If there is no full-time nurse, Delack recommends working up the chain of command with the school district and school board.
“Parents have a very powerful voice with school administrations and should use that voice to ensure that their children’s health care needs are met while they are in school,” she said.
Some general questions for parents to ask include: • Is there a full-time school nurse, and what are his/her qualifications?• What’s the school’s medication policy? • What are the guidelines for calling home or sending a child home sick? • Does the school offer flu shots or other preventive care?
Caduceus is offering a back to school special $25 Sports Physical! Reserve an appointment online at www.caduceusmedicalgroup.com or walk-in!
