For legislative issues important to
school nursing, please contact:
school nursing, please contact:
Cheryl Layfield, RN, MSN, NCSN, CFNP (302) 436-1029 clayfield@irsd.k12.de.us |
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Items of Interest for School Nurses in Delaware
1. Legislation to reduce the unit count for school nurse
Student ratio is currently under construction. Draft will be sent to Executive Board for
approval before sending to legislator.
2. Proposition
Create a new position within the Legislative Committee titled DSEA Liaison. The
responsibilities will include collaborating with the Legislative Chairperson on DSEA
issues, attend DSEA legislative committee meetings and report important issues, act as
liaison between DSNA and DSEA. Since a co-chair was not available, despite many
requests for volunteers, a titled position may be more desirable. Any suggestions for
recruitment would be appreciated.
3. Current legislation
HB235 - extends the Delaware Healthy Children Program to include dental health care
for children enrolled in the program.
HB28 - disallows policy requiring psychotropic medication to be taken in order for a
student to attend public school (House stricken).
HB29 practitioner must provide written information about side effects of psychotropic
upon prescribing medication (in House substance/abuse committee).
HB57 - Mandates fire safety education as part of science curriculum in K-6 grades
(signed).
SB68 - Permits educators, who have completed a Board of Nursing approved training
course developed by DOE, to assist with medications on school field trips (signed). This
was discussed at the last meeting.
SB155 - Delays mandatory requirement that all kindergarten enrollees have screening
for lead poisoning for admission or continued enrollment (signed). Also discussed last
meeting.
SB175 - Public or private 4 year colleges shall provide information about Meningitis to
prospective students and prior to matriculation provide information about vaccination
and document the acceptance/non acceptance to receive the vaccination (signed).
1. Legislation to reduce the unit count for school nurse
Student ratio is currently under construction. Draft will be sent to Executive Board for
approval before sending to legislator.
2. Proposition
Create a new position within the Legislative Committee titled DSEA Liaison. The
responsibilities will include collaborating with the Legislative Chairperson on DSEA
issues, attend DSEA legislative committee meetings and report important issues, act as
liaison between DSNA and DSEA. Since a co-chair was not available, despite many
requests for volunteers, a titled position may be more desirable. Any suggestions for
recruitment would be appreciated.
3. Current legislation
HB235 - extends the Delaware Healthy Children Program to include dental health care
for children enrolled in the program.
HB28 - disallows policy requiring psychotropic medication to be taken in order for a
student to attend public school (House stricken).
HB29 practitioner must provide written information about side effects of psychotropic
upon prescribing medication (in House substance/abuse committee).
HB57 - Mandates fire safety education as part of science curriculum in K-6 grades
(signed).
SB68 - Permits educators, who have completed a Board of Nursing approved training
course developed by DOE, to assist with medications on school field trips (signed). This
was discussed at the last meeting.
SB155 - Delays mandatory requirement that all kindergarten enrollees have screening
for lead poisoning for admission or continued enrollment (signed). Also discussed last
meeting.
SB175 - Public or private 4 year colleges shall provide information about Meningitis to
prospective students and prior to matriculation provide information about vaccination
and document the acceptance/non acceptance to receive the vaccination (signed).
Position Statement |
History: The School Nurse to student ratio has been based on teaching units, currently 1:40
(a teaching unit being approximately 20 students)
Description of the Issue: Delivery of quality School Nursing services is affected by the
nurse/student ratio. The amount of time spent on direct nursing care for students is influenced
by several factors:
Rationale: All students have the right to receive quality and consistent health care and
programs in the Delaware school community in order to enhance the learning process and
student achievement.
Conclusion: It is the position of the Delaware School Nurses Association that maximum ratio
of School Nurses to teaching units should be 1:35
(a teaching unit being approximately 20 students)
Description of the Issue: Delivery of quality School Nursing services is affected by the
nurse/student ratio. The amount of time spent on direct nursing care for students is influenced
by several factors:
- Teaching units for middle and high schools are configured differently than in elementary
schools; thus many middle and high schools have large number of students and
continue to have only one School Nurse per building - Increasing number of students with specialized health needs entering the public school
system requiring extended periods of care by the School Nurse - Continuing need to provide legal documentation, such as the Individualized Health
Services Log (Daily Log) of all nursing assessments, interventions, and evaluations of
care, Medication Log, physician's orders, parent permission signatures, and
immunization histories - Providing health and emergency care for students, staff and visitors, and contributing to
the comprehensive school health program. - Participating on teams that coordinating the Individualized Education Plans for students
needing special education, and implementing and updating 504 documents that allow for
the accommodations of special needs students within the classroom, as well as other
special committees and teams within each school
Rationale: All students have the right to receive quality and consistent health care and
programs in the Delaware school community in order to enhance the learning process and
student achievement.
Conclusion: It is the position of the Delaware School Nurses Association that maximum ratio
of School Nurses to teaching units should be 1:35
Legislative Contacts |
Legislative Links
http://legis.delaware.gov
Whom to contact in the legislative department and how to contact them when a current issue is
important.
Governor's Office
http://www.state.de.us/governor/index.shtml
Contact the Governor's Office
Delaware Elected Officials
http://www.delaware.gov/egov/portal.nsf/portal/elected/
State Senators
House of Representative
Project Vote Smart
http://www.vote-smart.org
If you are unsure of your legislator, this site will guide you through the process to find all of your
representatives. Information is also given on how to contact your legislator. The previous voting
history of legislators is also highlighted.
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