1. School Nurses Deep in the Heart of Texas Lisa Sicilio, BSN, RN, NCSN TSNO Nominations Coordinator

2. Where we began.. “The practice of school nursing began in the United States on October 1, 1902 when the initial role of the school nurse was to reduce absenteeism by intervening with students and families regarding health care needs related to communicable diseases.” www.nasn.org www.nasn.org

3. The Definition of School Nursing: "School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self management, self advocacy, and learning." This definition was adopted at the NASN Board of Directors meeting in Providence, Rhode Island in June 1999

4. Times have changed…  Schools have changed allowing all students access to an education regardless of health conditions.  Students are coming to school with more medically complex health issues that require care included in their daily schedule.  School nurses have had to increase their knowledge to accommodate these changes.

5. Deep in the Heart of Texas…  A first grader has missed 3 weeks of school due to asthma symptoms that are not controlled  A third grader has a stomach ache every day at recess… he is being bullied  A fifth grader cannot see the board from the back of the room and her grades are suffering  A seventh grader is struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy

6. Deep in the Heart of Texas  An eighth grader is becoming non-compliant with her diabetic care  A tenth grader needs assistance with daily catheterization due to Spina bifida  An eleventh grader goes into premature labor and her parents don’t know she’s pregnant  A teacher comes in with severe chest pain and needs emergency medical attention

7. Deep in the Heart of Texas There are no typical days in school nursing. A day might include dozens of doses of medication; nursing assessments on everyone that walks through the door; minor first aid to a closed head injury; management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and seizures; nebulizer treatments, administration of sub-clavian antibiotics, catheterizations and tube feedings; vision and hearing screenings; immunization compliance; developing health care plans; securing resources for glasses; staying current on legal issues; implementing employee wellness programs; investigating pills that are found in pockets; health education for faculty and students; promoting a health school environment.

8. We advocate for the child, encouraging them, making sure they have eaten, that they are clean and have clean and appropriate clothes. At the end of the day, we will have documented all of the daily visits, made many phone calls to parents, mailed off screening referral letter and letters for immunizations due. We may have even changed our bulletin boards to reflect the health issue of the month and composed a newsletter for parents or colleagues sharing important health information.

9. School Nurse or Super Nurse The National Association of School Nurses says, “The primary role of the school nurse is to support student learning.” By encouraging students to come to school, remain in class, be ready to learn and feel safe, school nurses play a crucial role in the educational success of students.

10. School nurses as Care Providers:  Promote healthy students  Increase school attendance  Create safe havens  Assess health needs  Screen for barriers to learning

11. School nurses as Educators:  Promote academic performance  Support at-risk students  Increase health knowledge and skills  Encourage school/classroom participation  Strengthen student learning readiness

12. School nurses as Advocates:  Promote healthy schools  Participate on teams and committees  Strengthen youth development  Improve school morale  Foster staff and school wellness

13. School nurses as a Change Agents:  Enhance learning environments  Encourage parental involvement  Identify health-related barriers  Model healthy behaviors  Implement research-based practice

14. School nurses as a Managers:  Support shared leadership  Foster community partnerships  Administer health policies  Implement health protocols  Promote healthy schools

15. School Nurses Can…  Provide the knowledge, skills and expertise to promote the optimal health of all students  Create an environment where the bridge between health and learning is clearly understood and valued within the school community  Provide leadership for initiating positive relationships where all can focus on the academic and health needs of students

16. I am a School Nurse. I love school nursing! Even after all of these years, it is filled with energy and excitement. Every year my job has become more demanding and the expectations have changed. Yet I will rise to the challenge. I encourage students to be the best they are capable of being. One school nurse can make a difference. One school nurse can impact student achievement. One school nurse can touch the future!

17. Does one of your colleagues… Have excellent health services and managerial skills and a child-focused attitude? Do they have outstanding communication skills? Are they nurturing, patient, and positive. Can they multi-task, pay attention to detail, follow- through, and be a team player? Do they have a passion for students’ optimal health and achievement?

18. It’s Time to Nominate them… TSNO wants to showcase the great nurses deep in the heart of Texas. We need nominees for School Nurse of the Year from every region. One school nurse can make a difference! Together, we change the State of Texas!

19. How do you begin?  http://www.txsno.org/home.asp http://www.txsno.org/home.asp  Click on “Your TSNO”  Click on the “Awards” link  Any questions? Email me  lsicilio@csisd.org lsicilio@csisd.org  Check the information for Region Awards, as well