4.5.5: FRAME 5- Take Action
- Page ID
- 90039
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The school nurse is interested in becoming more involved with advocating for legislative support for childhood immunizations, funding for school nurses, and maintaining health promotion activities for children and youth. The nurse collaborates with the state nurses association and the American Nurses Association (ANA) to identify ways to advocate for health policy changes for issues related to school nurses, children, and youth. The school nurse recognizes the ANA works to advance the nursing profession and improve health and health care for all in part by educating and forging relationships with members of Congress and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle (ANA, n.d.) compared with state nurses associations that advocate and support nurses and engages in public policy on a state level.
QUESTION: Drop-Down Cloze
Scoring Rule: 0/1
The nurse can advocate for health policy changes by 
, 
, and 
.
| Word Choices |
|---|
| Talking with or writing letter to elected officials |
| Becoming active with state and national nursing associations |
| Choosing to not be active unless it involves your own child |
| Attend public policy conferences to increase awareness of legislative priorities |
| Post your perspective on health policies on social media |
Putting It All Together
DEBRIEF
The National Education Association (NEA) sets legislative priorities and advocates in Congress for federal laws that support public K-12 schools, post-secondary institutions, student learning, and educators. Goals for federal legislation are grouped into four main areas:
- High-Quality Public Education
- Supporting Student Success
- A Voice in the Workplace
- Good Public (NEA, 2023)
In addition to the NEA, state and national nursing associations legislate for school nursing. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has developed and co-published with the National Association of School Nurses, School Nursing: Scope & Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition. This text covers the full extent of nurse practice at all levels and in all settings and roles, including professional competencies, scope of practice, interprofessional collaborations, special needs and environmental health needs and code of ethics specific to school nursing, and a culturally congruent and holistic approach to the nursing process (ANA, 2023). The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) vision is that all students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
RECOGNIZING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH)
In the United States, more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic health condition, such as asthma, obesity, other physical conditions, and behavior/learning problems. The healthcare needs of children with chronic illness can be complex and continuous, including daily management and addressing potential emergencies (CDC, 2021). Further, millions of children and teens are uninsured and could qualify for health insurance (CDC, 2017). With the number of students with chronic health disorders, schools, and school nurses can assist these students in a number of ways:
- Identify whether a student has health insurance and if they have a chronic health condition. Update existing school health records or enrollment forms to note this information.
- School nurses or other school personnel play a direct role in linking children to health insurance. School nurses can advocate for training (themselves and staff) that includes guidance on insurance eligibility, how to enroll families in eligible plans, and up-to-date local, state, and federal resources.
- Advocate for school health services and community providers who accept Medicaid and offer other low-income assistance, such as providing care at reduced rates based on income level.
- Understand the referral protocols for students with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or seizure disorder, food allergies, poor oral health, or obesity.
What Do You Think About?
- Assess legislation in your state regarding the school nurse role and responsibilities.
- What percentage of elementary or high schools in your jurisdiction have a nurse on site all day, every day?
- Why is it important to have a nurse on site at every school, all day, every day?
- What are the educational requirements for a school nurse in your state?