A nursing care plan for the handicapped student.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Pediatric Health
• Special Education

Background:

• The nursing process is a systematic approach to patient care.
• Effective documentation is crucial for continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities.
• The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document guiding special education services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for school nurses to meticulously document the nursing process for handicapped students.
• To highlight the creation and utility of nursing care plans derived from this documentation.
• To underscore the essential role of school nurses in the care of handicapped students.

Main Methods:

• Review of the current concept of the nursing process.
• Explanation of how documented nursing process leads to a nursing care plan.
• Presentation of an example nursing care plan.

Main Results:

• A properly documented nursing process results in a comprehensive nursing care plan.
• Nursing care plans identify diagnosed health needs and establish behavioral, student-centered goals and interventions.
• The nursing care plan aligns with the structure and goals of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Conclusions:

• Nursing care plans provide a framework for optimizing the health potential of handicapped students.
• The nursing care plan's student-centered, behavioral approach is compatible with IEP requirements.
• Documenting the nursing process clearly defines and validates the school nurse's role in caring for handicapped students.