The importance of nursing services within schools for students with special health needs has been recognized in Missouri. Twenty-five personal interviews and twenty focus groups were held with practicing school nurses in Missouri. Audiotaped data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic codes were developed and validated by co-investigators. This presentation will further explore perceived barriers and facilitators to school health as identified in this qualitative study. Overall, school nurses view themselves as anchors of both school and community health and as such are expected to be constantly present and responsive to the needs of students, parents, school staff and the community. Despite this, school nurses report that their positions in the schools are ill-defined. They report that they believe their education, judgement, and experience may be under-valued and their expertise under-used. See none
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify barriers and facilitators to the school nursing role. 2. Appreciate factors that may enhance or inhibit the effectiveness of nursing in the school setting.
Keywords: School Health, Nurses
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