LPN School Health Nurse - DC Public Schools Every child needs quality healthcare The Crucial Role of the School Nurse in Public Education The practice of school nursing began in the United States on October 1, 1902, when Lina Rogers, the first school nurse, was hired to reduce absenteeism by intervening with students and families regarding healthcare needs related to communicable diseases. After one month of successful nursing interventions in the New York City schools, she led the implementation of evidence-based nursing care across the city (Struthers, 1917). Since that time, school nurses continue to provide communicable disease management, but their role has expanded and is increasingly diverse. A student's health is directly related to his or her ability to learn. Children with unmet health needs have a difficult time engaging in the educational process. The school nurse supports student success by providing health care through assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. The school nurse addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social health needs of students and supports their achievement in the learning process. Students who are medically fragile or who deal with chronic health issues are coming to school in increasing numbers and with increasingly complex medical problems that require complicated treatments commonly provided by the school nurse (Lineberry & Ikes). Chronic conditions such as asthma, anaphylaxis, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, obesity, and mental health concerns may affect the student's ability to be in school and ready to learn. The National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs has determined that 11.2 million US children are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. These students may require health-related services in schools (US Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau). School nurses address the social determinants of health, such as income, housing, transportation, employment, access to health insurance, and environmental health. Social determinants are identified to be the cause of 80% of health concerns (Booske, Athens, Kindig, Park, & Remington, 2010). In the United States, nearly one quarter of children attending school live in households below the federal poverty level (United States Census Bureau). Children from lower-income families have a more difficult time accessing medical treatment for chronic diseases (Perrin). Essential Duties and Responsibilities (included but not limited to): Determine immunization needs of students Clinical knowledge continuing education Conduct vision/hearing screening, and others, for referrals Evaluate and treat student conditions Along with the RN, uncover the needs of the students, including the students that have individual health care needs Requirements: ASN or BSN from an approved nursing school At least 3 years of LPN experience, with supervised nursing experience in community health Community health, ambulatory care, school health or related fields highly preferred Experience with school-aged children required Be licensed (or be willing to get licensed) in the District of Columbia 40 hours per week M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Assignments will be finalized and distributed the first week of employment, based on school need. Locations are subject to change. KurzSolutions is committed to improving health outcomes by providing well-managed companies with the top healthcare talent in the market.