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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Marianne M. Hillemeier, PhD, MPH, Health Policy and Administration, The Pennsylvania State University, 116 Henderson, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-0873, mmh18@psu.edu and Lisa A. Davis, MHA, Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, Pennsylvania State University, 202 Beecher-Dock House, University Park, PA 16802.

This study evaluates the scope of services provided in Pennsylvania schools and nurses' perceived satisfaction with services. METHODS: Survey of 615 school nurses (response rate=61.7%). Topics included number/proportion of students with specific health care needs; types of services provided; percent students screened annually; provision of instruction/counseling on specific health topics; perceived satisfaction with nursing services provided; and nurse:student ratio. RESULTS: Nursing caseloads contained many special health care needs students; prevalent conditions included asthma (9.4%), weight disorder (6.0%), severe allergies (5.5%), and ADHD (4.9%). Specialized procedures were often provided including blood sugar testing (75.8%), nebulizer treatments (68.9%), insulin pump management (41.0%), and catheterization (15.3%). Over 70% of all secondary school nurses provided education/counseling on pregnancy and STD prevention and substance use, however education/counseling on other important issues was less available. Rural nurses were more likely to report being very satisfied/satisfied with care provided in their schools. There were fewer nurses per school district in rural areas, however because rural districts have fewer students their nurse:student ratios were more favorable (1:936 in rural vs. 1:1084 in urban districts). Lower nurse:student ratios were positively associated with greater perceived satisfaction with the care (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Health care needs of school children are diverse and complex, and many school nurses must provide skill-intensive procedures. Education/counseling about health-related issues is provided in some, but not all, school settings. Lower nurse:student ratios are associated with greater satisfaction with care. Study findings suggest that lowering current nurse:student ratios will result in more optimal school health services.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the special health care needs of children in school nurse caseloads.
• Identify differences in rural and urban school nurses regarding satisfaction with health care provided to students.
• Discuss the association of school nurse to student ratios with satisfaction with care provided.

Keywords: School Health, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 342.5 kb)