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Vision StatementThe Bessemer City Schools’ Nursing Service Program, through the practice of professional nursing assessment and intervention, will promote students’ optimal state of wellness in an environment in which all students can learn and achieve academic success. Mission StatementThe mission of the Bessemer City Schools’ Nursing Service Program is to enhance the educational environment of each student by preventing, limiting, and removing health related barriers to learning, through the practice and promotion of professional nursing standards. The Nursing Service Program recognizes that a healthy student can more fully attain their educational goals and become a graduate who is fully prepared for the journey.
School nursing, is a specialized practice of nursing that protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential. Bessemer City Schools - School Nurses Lead Nurse: Lashanda Benjamin, RN lbenjamin@bessk12.org (205)-432-3028
Abrams Elementary Trendi Williams, LPN (205)-432-3115 Greenwood Elementary Clintonia Maddox, LPN (205)-432-3215 C.F. Hard Elementary Flora Adams, LPN (205)-432-3303 Jonesboro Elementary Lisa Pugh, LPN (205)-432-3415 Westhills Elementary Edith Cook, LPN (205)-432-3513 Bessemer City Middle Somarda Scott, LPN (205)-432-3637 Bessemer City High Jakita Dial, RN (205)-432-3718
The school nurse will:
Alabama school nurses adhere to the Alabama Nurse Practice Act, state regulation, and school district policies and procedures.
School Nurse
The school district nurses are registered professional nurses who provide nursing care and referral for medical care, as well as management of acute and chronic health conditions. This may include, but is not limited to, asthma and diabetes education and monitoring, and infectious disease reporting. We do not provide primary care; however, we can do follow-up monitoring, based on written doctor’s orders. A doctor’s order is required for any specialized intervention.
Medication must be in the original container with a label attached. Prescription medications must be labeled with the student’s and doctor’s name, dosage, frequency, expiration date and pharmacy name and phone number.
School nurses oversee the following areas as well:
Remember: Your school nurse is always available to answer any health-related questions. See school website for name and contact information.
Additional Tips for Healthy Students
The school nurse’s top priority is the health and well-being of students. Children learn best when they are healthy and happy. It is recommended that students:
Parents Recommendation: Your child’s school attendance is very important. In order for him/her to benefit from the planned educational program, wellness is essential. Therefore, to prevent the spread of any suspected contagious disease or illness, it is important that your child stay home or seek further treatment. If the school believes your child is ill or has a contagious disease, he/she will be sent home based on the following symptoms: 1. Fever of 100 degrees and above a) Students with elevated temps are not able to concentrate in school. They have headaches, irritability, sleepiness, and require additional fluids and medication to reduce the fever. 2. Persistent coughing not relieved with an inhaler for asthma a) Follow up with your child’s doctor because persistent cough may be due to other medical causes such as the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, or worsening asthma symptoms. 3. Persistent vomiting a) This is dependent on additional symptoms such as fever, lethargy, dehydration from vomiting during the night. It is possible that a student will go home after vomiting one time during the day. A nursing assessment is necessary to determine whether or not to send a student home. 4. Diarrhea unusual loose and/or watery stools a) Viral and bacteria are the main causes of diarrhea and it can be contagious. Our biggest concerns are dehydration and the student’s inability to stay hydrated and alert in a school setting. If symptoms last longer than 24 hours and there are signs of dehydration, they need immediate medical attention. Diarrhea involves frequent toileting with abdominal cramping and school is not the best setting when a student is physically and mentally uncomfortable. 5. Suspected communicable disease such as chicken pox and rashes of unknown origin and not treated by a physician a) Rashes are uncomfortable for the student. They are not able to concentrate in school because of the itching and pain. In a school setting, we have limited resources for the treatment of rashes. Most rashes do not go away unless properly diagnosed and treated by a physician. 6. Persistent and unusual pain without relief such as headache that lasts longer than 24 hours or severe right side stomach ache a) A school nurse will call when we suspect a medical condition. If you gave us permission to treat, we have Over-The-Counter pain medication to treat anything that does not require further evaluation by a physician. Since OTC meds may mask underlying symptoms of more serious conditions this should be approached with caution, especially when talking about persistent and/or unusual pains and headache. 7. Awakes with eyes swollen or closed shut, painful, itchy, excessive drainage requires medical treatment. a) This maybe conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) and it is contagious. Call your child’s physician for a prescription or an appointment ASAP. Most physicians will see your child right away when you tell them your child’s symptoms. 8. Head Lice- must be treated at home and the school nurse notified upon returning to school, your child will be rechecked for lice. We do not exclude for lice but your child must be treated. 9. Flu like symptoms such as sore throat, body aches, fever, chills, fatigue, and headaches (a) Call physician immediately or seek treatment 10. Sore throats with a fever, unable to eat, white patches in the back of the throat with difficulty swallowing and hoarseness, the student should be seen by her/his physician. 11. Possible concussion symptoms are headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, irritability, dizziness, unable to concentrate or unable to recall the incident, he or she should be examined by a physician immediately. Procedure for Returning Back to School: 1. If any of the above symptoms last longer than 24 hours, please contact your child’s physician. 2. If your child has one or more of the listed above symptoms, please do not send to school. If in doubt, please contact the school nurse or your child’s primary care physician. 3. Student must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen before returning to school. 4. Remember hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of disease. Please leave a name or number of a person who will be responsible for picking up your child. It is also important that the school has up-to-date contact information on file. This list is not all inclusive, but a guideline to follow by working together and following these guidelines, we can maintain our school as a healthy, learning environment for our children and staff. |
