Nursing Services

School Nursing Services play a critical role in supporting the physical health, safety, and well-being of students in order to optimize their ability to learn and fully participate in the educational environment. The school nurse serves as a leader in health services, providing direct care, chronic condition management, emergency response, health promotion, and care coordination for students across the district.

Nursing services address the unique medical needs of both general education students and students receiving services under Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Accommodation Plans. School nurses collaborate closely with students, families, school staff, administrators, healthcare providers, and community partners to ensure that health-related barriers to learning are identified and addressed through individualized supports and planning.

Direct Student Care

• Assessment and management of acute illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day
• Triage and provision of first aid, emergency response, and crisis intervention
• Administration of daily and emergency medications in accordance with physician orders, parental consent, and district policy
• Implementation of medical procedures such as glucose monitoring, insulin administration, gastrostomy tube care, seizure management, and catheterization

Chronic Condition Management

• Development and implementation of Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs) for students with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizure disorders, allergies, cardiac conditions, and other medically complex needs
• Creation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) to address medical emergencies
• Monitoring and support for medically fragile students requiring ongoing nursing oversight
• Coordination with IEP or 504 teams to integrate medical needs into educational planning

Health Screenings and Preventive Services

• Conducting state-mandated health screenings, including vision, hearing, growth, BMI, and scoliosis screenings
• Monitoring of immunization compliance and state reporting requirements
• Oversight of communicable disease prevention and control efforts within the school setting
• Health education and promotion of healthy behaviors through student, staff, and family education

Staff Training and Consultation

• Training of school staff on individualized student medical needs, emergency procedures, and safe medication administration
• Providing health-related professional development on topics such as infection control, chronic condition management, seizure response, and first aid
• Serving as a resource for staff questions related to student health and safety

Care Coordination and Collaboration

• Acting as a liaison between families, healthcare providers, and school teams to ensure coordinated care
• Participation on multidisciplinary teams, including IEP and 504 meetings, to address student medical needs as part of educational programming
• Collaboration with district administration, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and community health agencies

Legal and Ethical Compliance

• Adherence to district policies, state and federal laws, professional nursing practice standards, and privacy regulations including FERPA and HIPAA
• Maintenance of confidential student health records in accordance with legal and professional standards

School nursing services ensure that every student, regardless of medical needs, has equitable access to the educational experience, promotes wellness, and supports the development of lifelong healthy behaviors.

Jackie Pawlowski - District School Nurse/Miller Clinic Nurse

Akilah Ervin - Craddock Elementary School Clinic Nurse

Erika Harper - Leighton Elementary School Clinic Nurse

Wendy Mihelick - Harmon Middle School Clinic Nurse

Amanda Brown - Aurora High School Clinic Nurse