The Presence Shortage of School Nurses Harming Our Children's Wellness

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Have you ever noticed the constant absence of nurses at your school? It seems like every time you need to go to the nurse, one is not there. That fact has led to my investigation of the effects of school nurse absences on most K-12 campuses. Many children have died from not receiving care as a result of an absent nurse. Although it is true that school nurses are divided between schools (1,185 students for every school nurse in NC), every school needs a nurse (Healthy Children Learn Better). Most accidents relating student injuries can be avoided with the daily presence of a school nurse in every single school. The school nurse's job tends to be at risk during budget cut time (Wilson).
That fact has led to my investigation of the effects of school nurse absences on most k-12 campuses. Between 1999 and 2009, 38 states improved their number of school nurses. Although this is true, there is still a significant shortage of nurses in most school districts. As a result, accidents occur and must go untreated leading to serious conditions and even death. Negative patient care outcomes are even more common now that there are environmental health concerns leading to the increase in Asthma and genetically induced obesity-related diseases that can develop in children. The nutritional aspect is not completely met since a nurse is not always in attendance to educate students and their parents about healthy eating and other habits. There are even more problems derived from schools being devoid of their own designated nurses.
Many children have died from not receiving care as a result of an absent nurse. In fact, 12 year old Laporshia Massey died in late September of this school year in West Philadelphia after suffering a serious Asthma Attack. ...

... middle of paper ...

...uts to get water as well in order to prevent dehydration from resulting. Especially if the school nurse is not present in the school that day.

Works Cited

"Healthy Children Learn Better! School Nurse Make A Difference." Nasn. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
Lattanzio, Vince. "Lack of School Nurse Led to Daughter's Asthma Death: Father." NBC 10 Philadelphia. Associated Press, 17 Oct. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
Mithers, Carol. "Are School Nurses Disappearing?" CNN. Cable News Network, 04 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
Mithers, Carol. "School Nurse Shortage." Parenting.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2014.
"New Law Requires Defibrillators in Schools." New Law Requires Defibrillators in Schools NJSBA. New Jersey School Boards Association, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 01 Apr. 2014.
Wilson, Jacque. "Does Your Child Have a School Nurse?" CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.

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