Diabetes Resource Nurse in Schools – The Colorado Model

Background Maintaining current knowledge and skills is critical for the school nurse to ensure effective diabetes management for students at school. The Diabetes Resource Nurse (DRN) Program in Colorado positions nurse consultants with expertise in diabetes, staff development and problem solving throughout the state to support the practicing school nurse.

Purpose Advances in diabetes care continually change diabetes management. When a child with diabetes presents in the school nurse caseload, clinical skill and knowledge update is often needed. Consulting with a DRN results in enhanced competence of the school nurse and enhanced confidence of the parent.

Significance The DRN plays a key role in ensuring safe and effective diabetes management at school by supporting school nursing practice. School nurse competence is enhanced, family concerns are reduced, and the student is poised for academic success.

Methodology Evaluation of the Colorado DRN Program, in partnership with the National Association of School Nurses, has been multifaceted. Evaluation data has been collected from the DRN, the school nurse receiving consultation, and DRN trainings.

Findings/Results Evaluation findings will be presented, describing the DRN Program in Colorado.

Conclusions/Recommendations School nursing practice covers a broad array of acute and chronic health conditions in the schools. Diabetes is one disease whose management is highly individualized with skills and knowledge that are rapidly changing. The consultative role of the DRN improves diabetes management at school and holds promise for other areas of disease management at school.