The Drawbacks of a School Nurse Shortage
Story by Caelyn Eaves. Photo courtesy of CNBC Television.
Whenever you go to school you should expect that a school nurse will always be there to help you in case of an incident, illness, or any other problems that can occur. However, that’s not always the case. At the beginning of 2012, there was a major school nurse shortage across the US. School nurses started leaving because of low pay and high stress on the job. According to the National Education Association, fewer than 40 percent of the nation’s public schools employ a full-time registered nurse.
A lack of school nurses can impact students negatively, keeping them from receiving the required medical care and treatment for complex health conditions such as food allergies, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. I decided to speak to the nurse at Friendship Woodridge, nurse Fletcher, about her experience as a school nurse.
Caelyn: What are the biggest challenges you face as a school nurse?
Nurse Fletcher: The biggest challenge I face is the nursing shortage, due to the high turnover of nurses leaving the profession and work being distributed.
Caelyn: What are the most common mental health concerns you see among students?
Nurse Fletcher: The most common mental health concern I see among students after the COVID-19 outbreak is that many students have mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Caelyn: What are the specific challenges you face when there are not enough nurses on staff?
Nurse Fletcher: The challenges I face as a school nurse include limited resources, high caseloads, and communication difficulties. For instance, providing care for students with chronic, acute needs, offering emotional and behavioral support can be difficult at times without the proper resources. In addition, one of the hardest experiences I face due to nurse shortages is being responsible for more than one school.
Caelyn: What challenges do you face in obtaining the necessary supplies and medications?
Nurse Fletcher: There is not a big challenge to get supplies. There is a well-stocked supply room for Children’s School Service employees to get essential supplies. The challenge I face is obtaining updated school health forms and immunization records for compliance. It can be challenging to get medication for students who need it at school.
Caelyn: How has the role of a school nurse changed over the years?
Nurse Fletcher: School nurses are tasked with administering first aid and caring for students’ physical health. AI technology now assures tasks will change how nurses spend time delivering care to students.
Caelyn: How do you manage the workload and stress associated with being understaffed?
Nurse Fletcher: I manage my workload by prioritizing critical needs, delegating tasks to available staff like teachers and office personnel where appropriate, utilizing technology for streamlined processes, and advocating for additional nursing support to address students’ health concerns effectively. I also communicate clearly with parents and administration about limitations.
Caelyn: Do you enjoy being a school nurse?
Nurse Fletcher: I would like to say that I am proud to be a school nurse, serving students in my community.
Without question, the lack of school nurses harms students. A school nurse shortage also affects nurses at school, who may deal with stress and burnout, especially when dealing with complex medical issues. Students need school nurses, and school nurses deserve to be paid and treated fairly.
Caelyn Eaves is an 8th grade scholar at Woodridge International Middle School.