Redefinition of school nursing practice: integrating the developmentally disabled

Results of three needs assessment studies which had the purpose of providing direction for school nursing practices which would address some of the unmet health needs of today's children and adolescents are reported. Results provide specific examples of how school nurses have not been meeting school health needs through an analysis of one specific need -- integrating the developmentally disabled into the regular school setting. Data were collected from parents, teachers and other supportive personnel in schools by interview and survey methods. Environmental assessments were conducted and the policies and procedures governing health-related activities required by special need students were reviewed. The data indicated that for developmentally disabled students, nurses were not performing the commonly accepted functions of nursing and were not transposing their knowledge of the components of health care ordinarily provided in health care settings to care provided in nontraditional health care settings. Examples of nursing functions and the activities needed to fulfill those functions are provided.