Schools are faced with the challenges presented by special needs children (SNC) because the law requires that they must provide educational opportunities to all children--those who have no handicapping conditions as well as those who do, no matter how severe those conditions. The need exists for adequately prepared health care professionals in the school setting. Using a convenience sample of school teachers and school nurses, this investigation focused on the perceptions of school teachers and nurses regarding the challenges and demands of having these children in the public school. Two surveys were conducted to study those perceptions. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses showed that the needs of both groups of providers--school nurses and school teachers--can be summed up in three categories: information dissemination, communication, and resource integration. Infrastructure development involves the establishment of an effective information management system, effective use of such a system in establishing communications between all participants, and adequate administrative support to facilitate the development of the school providers' sense of competence in the care of SNC. A well-planned and adequately supported program goes a long way toward changing people's attitudes toward the inclusion of SNC in the classroom.
Baccalaureate nursing curriculum generally include a research or evidence-based practice course, but students may have little opportunity for specific application of the research process during their nursing education. Using Modeling and Role-modeling as a theoretical framework, a scholarly collaboration between faculty and student was developed to promote a unique and engaging undergraduate research endeavor. Faculty researchers developed an exploratory community-based research study to survey the local population about the immediate and lingering physical, financial, psychological, and emotional effects of Hurricane Harvey on the community. The project allowed students to gain invaluable knowledge about the research process, time management techniques, application of theory to the practice setting, community health assessment, collaboration among team members, and achieve student learning outcomes. Student participation in this research project provided necessary collaboration and leadership experiences that will benefit students during school and in their professional practice.
Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast in August 2017, dumping over 60 inches of rain in just a few short days. Nearly a quarter of households were damaged or lost during this time, and services were impacted for weeks. This article discusses one school of nursing’s response to this natural disaster. With natural disasters increasing in number, it is hoped that this article will help schools of nursing plan for such an event.
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