School nursing

As promised, our Back to School series continues.

Today, a very important topic, something near and dear to my heart, school nurses.

They have been my lifeline with my children.

So joining me today is Cynthia Carboni.

I remember speaking to someone else who was a nursing supervisor, and she said, we don't have the opportunity to offer incentives and bonuses the way hospitals in other places do.

Is that also an issue in the Holyoke public school system?

I think that salary for school nurses is something statewide that we're looking at because you're looking for a certain level of education and experience.

And a school nurse, it can be a very isolating role because she or he may be the only health professional within the entire school.

For clinicians, sleep timing, school transition, and connectedness are worth routinely asking about when adolescents report fatigue, anxiety, or declining function.

And finally, school nurses may play a critical role in managing the growing medical needs of students, but many schools still lack full-time nursing coverage.

An August 17th American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement notes that only about 66% of U.S. schools have access to a full-time school nurse.

The AAP recommends at least one full-time registered nurse in every school and emphasizes stronger communication between school nurses and pediatric clinicians.

The need is illustrated by the August pediatric study of 202 children aged 5 to 13 at high risk for asthma exacerbations.

Although 79% of the schools knew the child had asthma, only 31% had reliever medication available, 31% had a valve holding chamber, and just 7% had an asthma care plan.

To read the articles, visit our website at aap.org slash podcast.

Coming up, we'll discuss the role of the school nurse in providing health services.

Join the American Academy of Pediatrics in San Diego for the 2026 National Conference and Exhibition.

We are excited for you to make meaningful connections, engage in top-notch educational sessions, participate in special events, and explore the exhibit hall.

This year's conference will feature keynote speaker, Dr. Mike, one of healthcare's most recognized and influential voices, along with the Can't Miss San Diego experience at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

To learn more and to register, visit aapexperience.org. We look forward to seeing you there.

Joanna, you've shared more than one story about getting calls from the school nurse and how that made you feel.

It is never great to get those calls from the school.