Catching Up With Clean Intermittent Catheterization: Guide to Products, Tips, and Tricks.

Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is the gold standard for the management of urinary retention. Students with special healthcare needs who require CIC can be supported by school nurses who have knowledge and expertise in the management of CIC including an understanding of available products, reinforcement of proper technique, and resources available to promote student independence. This article will discuss the variety and unique features of CIC products and tips to overcoming barriers in bladder management.

Supporting Children on the Autism Spectrum as They Experience the Challenges of COVID-19.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified stress and social isolation for many children, but those children living with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been disproportionately affected. Prior to the pandemic, children with ASD often faced social isolation due to struggles with their social communication and social development. Planning for children with ASD to return to community experiences, including school, appointments, and even recreational activities, will require an understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the child and their family. As the child and family are working to adjust to changes like new routines, sleep patterns, and sensory issues as a result of the pandemic, the pediatric nursing community should be knowledgeable and prepared to develop creative opportunities to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.

Long COVID-The New "Invisible" Illness: How School Nurses Can Support the Nursing and Educational Teams for Student Success.

School-age children are not immune to COVID-19 or the pronounced and persistent symptoms associated with a long-COVID diagnosis. Students may present with a variety of symptoms affecting their physical, cognitive, and mental health. The school community should be educated on the school-based interventions and recommendations for creating an individualized safe and successful return to school plan. As we await approval for vaccinations in school-age children younger than 12 years and continue to reposition ourselves to the waves of this pandemic and new variants of the virus, understanding the medical and educational long-term effects on our students may be a long-term need.

Assessing a Student With a Rare Disease.

An assessment tool, "Assessing a Student with a Rare Disease," was developed by the Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration program and introduced at NASN's 51st annual conference in Denver, Colorado. The goal of the tool is to support the school nurse as the medical expert in the educational setting by using a comprehensive prompt to gather information about the student's health condition and the possible impact on student's medical, cognitive, and behavioral needs at school.

Hidden Devices in the School Setting: What the School Nurse Needs to Know About Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC) program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute is a community-based program that provides on-site training and technical assistance to safely manage the integration of children with special health needs into educational and community settings. SHNIC frequently receives seizure education requests throughout the school year, specifically regarding vagus nerve stimulation. Vagus nerve stimulation involves an implanted medical device used to deliver electrical pulses to the vagus nerve for additional seizure management. The school nurse needs to understand the purpose and function of the hidden medical device, including the parameters for use of the device and magnet, safety considerations, and side effects. SHNIC has developed educational materials specific to vagus nerve stimulation to aid the school nurse in providing staff training, developing care plans, and creating a safe school experience for students with special health needs.

Hidden Medical Devices in the School Setting: What the School Nurse Needs to Know About the Safe Use of Baclofen Pumps.

One of the "hidden" medical devices in the school setting is the baclofen pump, which is used for the treatment of spasticity. The goals of spasticity treatment are to decrease muscle tone, deformity, and pain in order to maximize function and ease of care for both child and caregiver. The use of an intrathecal baclofen pump, often for children with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, or stroke, has been effective in spasticity treatment. It is important for school nurses to be aware of the safety implications associated with this type of device. The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC) program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute has complied education and materials that explain the use of baclofen pumps in children with spasticity and the role of the school nurse in providing staff training, developing emergency care plans, and creating a safe school environment for children with special health needs.

Hidden Devices in the School Setting: What the Nurse Needs to Know About Shunts.

The role of school nurse today not only includes making a thorough assessment of the child but also the knowledge and skill to understand hidden medical devices. As of 2011, there were approximately 14.6 million children in the United States living with special health care needs. Many of these children could have hidden medical devices. The Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC) program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute received requests for in-person training regarding ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts.