Related Experiment Videos
Redefinition of school nursing practice: integrating the developmentally disabled
The Journal of School Health
|February 1, 1984
Summary
School nurses are not fully meeting the health needs of children, especially those with developmental disabilities. Study findings highlight gaps in nursing practice and suggest improvements for inclusive school health services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Special Education
- Public Health
Background:
- Children and adolescents face unmet health needs.
- School nursing practices require direction to address these needs.
- Integrating developmentally disabled students presents specific challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess needs for school nursing practices.
- To identify how school nurses can better serve children and adolescents.
- To analyze unmet health needs, focusing on developmentally disabled students.
Main Methods:
- Conducted three needs assessment studies.
- Collected data via interviews and surveys from parents, teachers, and school personnel.
- Performed environmental assessments and reviewed policies for special needs students.
Main Results:
- School nurses are not performing commonly accepted nursing functions for developmentally disabled students.
- Knowledge transfer from traditional healthcare settings to school settings is lacking.
- Specific examples of unmet nursing functions and required activities were identified.
Conclusions:
- School nursing practices need enhancement to meet diverse student health needs.
- There is a critical gap in providing comprehensive nursing care for developmentally disabled students in schools.
- Recommendations are provided for improving nursing functions and activities in school settings.