NASN School Nurse

School nurses can have significant cohorts of students with asthma. Effectively managing asthma in school can be challenging in terms of time, resources, and outcomes. A valuable focus for the school nurse is inhaled medication administration. Understanding the details required for optimal inhalation technique with metered-dose inhalers is the foundation for developing the skills to deliver and teach this vital aspect of asthma management. The school nurse can play a pivotal role in the partnership of asthma education that can benefit the student in school and at home.

Empirical evidence has identified that medication errors occur in the school setting; however, there is little research that identifies medication error prevention strategies specific to the school environment. This article reviews common medication errors that occur in the school setting and presents potential medication prevention strategies, such as developing medication error reporting systems, using technology, reviewing systems and processes that support current medication administration practices, and limiting distractions. The Standards of Professional Performance developed by the National Association of School Nurses identifies the need for school nurses to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their practice. Improving the safety of medication administration and preventing medication errors are examples of how nurses can demonstrate meeting this standard.

Fortunate indeed are schools that have adequate school nurse-to-student ratios, let alone schools that also value and provide substitute registered nurses (RNs) in the absence of the contracted school nurse. In a recent article in the Journal of School Nursing, Vollinger, Bergren, and Belmonte-Mann discussed personnel who staff the school health office in the absence of the school nurse; the authors found substandard coverage in the majority of the schools. The article recommended, among other things, that school nurses engage in dialogue to encourage programs to increase the number of RN substitutes. The purpose of this roundtable article is to provide initial dialogue on this subject.

With the beginning of each school year, athletes of all ages are gearing up to play. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association offers several important tips for consideration before a player begins formal participation, including information regarding pre-participation physicals; beating the heat; locker room cleanliness; emergency action plans; and exercising caution with head injuries, including new information concerning the difference between concussions in girls and boys.