School Nursing
School Nursing is defined as a specialized practice of nursing, protects, and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School Nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. Adopted by the NASN Board of Directors February 2017.
It is the goal of the Fort HealthCare School Nurse Program that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Using a student-centered approach the School Nurse Program provides evidence-based quality health care and training in a school setting. The School Nurse Program allows the nurses working in the school setting access to all the resources that Fort HealthCare has available. It is a unique partnership connecting the medical community, public health, and the schools.
The School Nurse Program is provided by contract with each school district. Each School Nurse works in the assigned school district providing care in a non-traditional health care setting. School Nurses assist districts in maintaining compliance with federal and state laws as they relate to emergency nursing services, immunizations, staff required trainings, and providing information related special education services. School Nurses assist in providing direct education services to classrooms, participate in multidisciplinary teams, serve as a member of the K-12 health curriculum committees, wellness committees, and school safety committees. In addition, the nurse may coordinate school staff First Aid and CPR training and will train emergency response teams in the district to respond to health-related emergencies as needed. They develop a process to inform staff about student health concerns and train the staff working with students that have complex medical needs.
The School Nurse Coordinator serves as a mentor and trainer for the new school nurses and can be reached for questions, concerns, or problems. Regular meetings are held to ensure nurses are up to date on current topics within the organization and schools and provide training beneficial to advancing the role of the School Nurse.
School Nurse Coordinator
Jennifer Kawleski, BSN, RN, LSN, NCSN
(920) 563-4213