Consent and release

Because school nursing practice by definition involves delivering services to minors, school nurses often find themselves with questions about consent. Because school districts, much like other health care providers, occasionally face liability for the undesired health care outcomes of their clients (i.e., students), another question that surfaces frequently deals with release from liability. Each question must be answered based on analysis of the specific facts and applicable laws. This article provides an overview of the principles that provide school nurses with general guidance on consent issues and release of liability and, by way of example, applies them in the answers to four specific questions forwarded by practicing school nurses.