ABSTRACT
In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "school health services" include nursing services that are required for students needing one-on-one ("private-duty") nursing care to attend school. This ruling settled opposing federal court interpretations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, clarifying the rights of students with complex medical needs and the responsibility of school districts to provide them with an appropriate educational program. In responding to the challenges and opportunities raised by this decision, school nurses must understand the implications for school nursing practice and for school districts, educate their school leaders and communities, and provide leadership for creative and collaborative problem solving.
Subject(s)
Disabled Children/legislation & jurisprudence , School Health Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Child , Health Care Costs , Humans , Iowa , Mainstreaming, Education/legislation & jurisprudence , Mainstreaming, Education/organization & administration , Male , School Health Services/organization & administration , School Nursing/legislation & jurisprudence , School Nursing/organization & administration , United StatesABSTRACT
School nurses are increasingly faced with professional-legal dilemmas related to student health records and documentation. This article provides guidance in an often extremely confusing area, as well as recommendations for policy and practice changes that might help simplify the search for resolutions.
