Distance learning in a school nurse credential program.

Distance learning, which encompasses many methodologies, is becoming a more readily available educational alternative. Because there are a limited number of school nurse credential programs and the demand for school nurses is increasing, distance learning may be a viable method of instruction. This article describes the authors' experiences organizing and presenting distance learning courses to five remote sites for students in a university school nurse credential program. After numerous inquiries, potential students from several areas were surveyed, and arrangements were made with universities in those areas to receive two-way audio and video transmissions of two seminar courses; later, two clinically oriented courses in the school nurse program. Students were able to complete their program requirements by taking equivalent course work at their local universities. Perceptions of students and the instructor, course evaluation, and practical suggestions are shared. Guidelines for potential students about selecting quality distance education programs are also noted.     

The school nurse manager: a catalyst for innovation in school health programming.

The nurse manager can assess students' needs in a school system and devise programs that will eliminate duplication of effort and promote collaboration of health-related services. The nurse manager can also accurately evaluate job performance of the nursing staff with an eye toward risk reduction and improved program outcomes. The work of a school nurse manager can facilitate the provision of excellent health care services by school health programs in an era of high expectations and fiscal accountability. This article examines the role of the nurse manager in the school setting and urges school nurses to develop managerial skills to enhance the delivery of care in their schools.     

Ambulatory care centers: a unique opportunity for nurse practitioners

Nurse practitioners continue to struggle to find avenues for professional fulfillment. Urgent care or ambulatory care centers (ACCs) may, because of their need to respond to consumer demands for more comprehensive services, offer nurse practitioners a unique opportunity to establish productive primary care practices based on the concepts of total patient care. A model for such a practice has operated successfully since 1983, establishing that both professional and business success can result from the collaborative efforts of nurse practitioners and physicians in an ACC setting.     

Enhancing school nurse visibility.

The school nurse is in a powerful position in the school district, but only by expanding visibility efforts can it be a viable one. School nurses are viewed as "health experts" in their school districts. They need to continually fine-tune and expand their visibility, as well as to widen their circle of influence in the school district and its community-based partnerships. Feeling comfortable in giving school board presentations and participating in other highly visible activities will highlight and enhance the valuable services school nurses provide. School nurses must be visible to be perceived as a powerful influence for health in the school district.     

The health of the school nurse community: a framework.

School nursing is based on a conceptual foundation of community health nursing. Using community health nursing as a reference point, this article describes a viewpoint of school nurses as the population of care. With this perspective, school nurses will better understand how to foster the health of their community. Developed on the basis of McKenzie, Pinger, and Kotecki's community health model, the Health of the School Nurse Community Framework has been designed to (a) facilitate understanding of the concept of "school nurse community" and (b) organize the factors that affect the health of the school nurse community. Essential to its use is the identification of the school nurse community's assets and capacities as well as its needs. Application of the framework to strive to improve the health of one state's school nurse community is also presented.     

Adolescent smoking cessation: development of a school nurse intervention.

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a range of strategies to engage and to enhance secondary school nurse involvement in teenage smoking prevention and cessation. School nurses were willing to assist students to quit smoking, but they felt unprepared. Information provided by nurses involved in a three-stage review, pilot-testing, and trial design resulted in the development of a resource for nurses. This resource comprised individual student approaches (brief intervention based on motivational interviewing and written activities designed to help students examine their smoking behavior), approaches to assist parents (letter of support for parents of students who smoke), and school newsletter items. Each component of the resource was found by school nurses to be appropriate, useful, and complementary to their other school- wide approaches to assist adolescents to quit smoking. Nurses also reported an interest to expand or to enhance their smoking cessation role in the school.     

The school nurse: enhancing professional recognition.

The image of the school nurse has much to do with the advancement and effectiveness of programs. Each school nurse can play an individual role in the concerted effort necessary to enhance this image.     

Excellence in school nursing practice: developing a national perspective on school nurse competencies.

Developing a national position on competencies for school nurses can directly influence professional practice, which ultimately affects the well-being and academic success of students. Collaboration between national experts, such as school nurse educators and school nurse consultants, interested in moving this development forward is key. Closely aligning the work done by the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing on entry-level competencies with the Standards of Professional School Nursing Practice provides a framework to carry the school nurse competency initiative forward. Continued competency development will provide guidance for the academic programs that design curricula to prepare school nurses and for the practice settings that hire school nurses.