Perceptions of school nurses in the care of students with disabilities

Many children are surviving prematurity and serious childhood illnesses due to advances in technology and medical care. As a result, more children are entering public school systems with complex health care needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities. School nurses are responsible for caring for these children; however, many nurses feel unprepared due to a lack education on disability studies in nursing school, difficulty with effective communication, and a lack of experience. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the perceptions and challenges of school nurses who worked with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants included eight nurses who worked in a public school setting, and data were collected through personal interviews, observations, and field notes. Results were analyzed categorically, and data showed that school nurses identified that they lacked education in disability studies and encountered challenges with communication, conducting health assessments, and screenings in students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.