Document Type
Doctor of Education Capstone
Original Publication Date
2024
Client
Virginia Department of Education
Location
Richmond Virginia
Date of Submission
May 2024
Abstract
Since the early 1900s, the provision of school nursing and school health services in the K-12 educational setting has been an important component of supporting student academic success, reducing student absenteeism, and promoting positive health outcomes in the United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia was historically one of the first states in the U.S. to employ school nurses. K-12 schools in Virginia have continued to support the practice of school nursing for over 100 years; however, the Virginia state legislature has not formalized a requirement for school nurses in the state code. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is responsible for ensuring quality and consistency in K-12 educational delivery in Virginia and also provides recommendations, training, and support for school health services in the Commonwealth. The current project is the result of a collaboration between VDOE and a capstone team of Doctor of Education students from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. VDOE sought a detailed understanding of best practices in school nursing, the current practice of school nursing in Virginia, and recommendations for improving school health services in the state. The project involved a review of published literature related to school nursing; a review of current school nursing practices in the states of Delaware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; qualitative data analysis based on interviews and focus groups conducted with school nursing stakeholders in Virginia; and the development of recommendations for action steps that VDOE can take to promote the practice of school nursing in the state. Enhancing school nursing services can lead to improved academic achievement, reduced absenteeism, and better health outcomes for K-12 students.
Rights
© The Authors