Formulate policy on school nurses
FROM THE EDITOR<br><br>There is more to being a school nurse today, than applying bandages. Not only does the school nurse deal with numerous health-related complaints everyday, but also does pregnancy and vision tests for the whole school. The nurse at
FROM THE EDITOR
There is more to being a school nurse today, than applying bandages. Not only does the school nurse deal with numerous health-related complaints everyday, but also does pregnancy and vision tests for the whole school. The nurse attends to injuries, allergies, asthma and fevers.
It is understandable that schools are struggling to provide healthcare personnel amidst constrained budgets, but it certainly is not understandable to rely solely on one nurse.
For many schools, there is often a lot of bureaucracy when it comes to letting the child go home for proper treatment. There have been stories of children dying at school, or being referred to hospitals when it is too late. Why should the school wait until the nurse cannot handle the case to refer the child? This implies a child’s life is at the nurse’s mercy.
Schools must pay particular attention to children with complications and work closely with hospitals so that in emergency cases, children can get proper care.
The education ministry should develop a policy on school nurses to ensure that trained personnel are in place. There should not be room for levity where lives are at stake.
There is more to being a school nurse today, than applying bandages. Not only does the school nurse deal with numerous health-related complaints everyday, but also does pregnancy and vision tests for the whole school. The nurse attends to injuries, allergies, asthma and fevers.
It is understandable that schools are struggling to provide healthcare personnel amidst constrained budgets, but it certainly is not understandable to rely solely on one nurse.
For many schools, there is often a lot of bureaucracy when it comes to letting the child go home for proper treatment. There have been stories of children dying at school, or being referred to hospitals when it is too late. Why should the school wait until the nurse cannot handle the case to refer the child? This implies a child’s life is at the nurse’s mercy.
Schools must pay particular attention to children with complications and work closely with hospitals so that in emergency cases, children can get proper care.
The education ministry should develop a policy on school nurses to ensure that trained personnel are in place. There should not be room for levity where lives are at stake.