School Nurse Observation

Yesterday, on October 10, 2017, I visited West Des Moines Hillside Elementary School to follow under the school’s nurse, Allison Line, mentorship. She went over all the children files who came in and described what she did in a school day which ranged from taking vitals to giving children prescribed medications. She even clarified my answers on the basics of being a school nurse and then taking that knowledge to reflect and apply it.

It can be seen throughout the school ages that kids grow and develop as they age. One would not expect an average preschooler to comprehend algebra, because that involves the Piaget’s cognitive stage of formal operation while the preschooler would be in the stage preoperational. Therefore, a child grows mentally

When she was talking to the students, she often paused and waited for them to finish their sentence if it looked like they were trying to think through it instead of rushing them. Also, she clarified a copious amount of times to clear up any miscommunication. Additionally, she spoke in simple, directive words they would understand according to their grade level. Allison also tried to stay at eye level with them while talking or assessing them by either squatting down or having them sit in a higher raised

I think it would be vital to hold a parent and children’s group conference at the beginning of preschool/ kindergarten year, 6th grade, and 9th grade years to discuss health promotion strategies but also potential dangers a child could face in the upcoming years at that school. This way a nurse would be able to go over handwashing, sleep schedule, nutrition, childhood injuries/ illnesses, and so on within the elementary years. Then in the before middle school conference, a nurse would be able to discuss about puberty and the health implications (primary/ secondary sex characteristics, coping with that, etc.) and dangers (bullying, dating, internet, etc.) that may be present with that. Then at the beginning of high school, the nurse along with the guidance counselor could talk about sex, STIs, stress about graduating high school, and so on. Holding a conference and presenting a brochure at end would be one way of making sure children and parents are well-educated about the health strategies and dangers their child could