Document: ADMAGAZINE_MAIN_1ST_11-09-09_NURSINGFALL22_B_M_22_44444;Page: 1;Trim size: (8.375 x 10.875 ");Plate: Composite;Date: 23 Oct, 2009 12:34:40
By AshleyPetryCareers &Training
Adayinthelifeofaschoolnurse
■ Picture aschool nurse. Do you see a
smiling woman sitting comfortably
at her desk, applying bandages and
patting the heads of sick children?
This is acommon perceptionof
school nurses —but it’s outdated and
wildly inaccurate.
These days,school nurses arebusy,
independent health care professionals.
Theymanage care plans for agrow ing
number of chronically illchildren, adjust to
ever-changing medical technologies
and serve as health educators for families
and the community.
“There’saperceptionthat school nurses
aretherefor hugs and putting Band-Aids
on boo-boos and maybegiving medications,
but it’s awhole lot morethan that,” said
PatSchmutte,RN, MSN, school health
coordinator for St.Vincent Hospital.
Let the day begin | School nurses begin
their dayafew minutes beforethe school
bellrings. In the first hour or so,theymost
likelydeal with students who didn’tfeel well
that morning but came to school anyway.
The clinic usually gets busy in late
morning,when students come to get
medications, checktheir blood sugar or seek
help with procedures suchasg-tube feedings
and catheterizations.
“Wesee about 10 percent of the [school]
populationinatypical day,”said Jolene
Bracale,RN, MSN, supervisor of nursing
services for HamiltonSoutheasternSchools.
Photo: Marc LebrykLeanne LaFollette, LPN, spends her dayatLawrence Township Schools healing sick children.“A lot of kids with chronic illnesses are
coming to school, and everystudent has a
different kind of monitoring system.” after the students go home —and after monitor disease outbreaks and educate
The most commoncomplaints are the paperworkisfinished. The nurses must facultyand families about students’ health
headaches, stomachaches and playground document eachclinic visit and file state- care needs.
injuries. But diabetic students, who mandated reports, suchasimmunization “There’salot of teaching involved. We’re
need help with blood-sugar checks and records and hearing screenings. showing teachers what care is needed
carbohydrate counting,are among the most for different diseases, disabilities and
In the business of education |frequent visitors to school clinics. In conditions,” said LindseyMinchella, RN,
School nurses generally end their day additiontocaring for children, school nurses MSN, aspecial educationschool nurse with
22 Indiana Nursing Quarterly •indystar.com/INQ •Fall 2009 1ST
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