My experience at New Albany Public school was so insightful. I got to see first hand how school nursing helps influence the healthy development of children. I got to attend the primary school (grades K-3) and the Early Learning Center (Pre-K and Kindergarten). There were a lot more children that came through and interacted with the nurse than I thought there would be. Many kids came into the primary school clinic to receive medication for ADHD and insulin for diabetes. I was surprised at how self-sufficient and independent they were. At the ELC we had less children coming in to receive medication and a lot more injuries and illnesses. One kid even shoved a piece of crayon in his ear and I got to help extract it! Another child had an ear infection and I got to view an inflamed eardrum. I did not see many “cultural differences” but I was shocked to see that New Albany has a lot of children with special needs that are completely integrated with their able-bodied peers. I got to see a child with down syndrome with a peg tube “eating” with the other children and interacting with them.
Goal 3 in the sustainable development goals closely aligned with what I observed in New Albany. The goal, “ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all and at all ages” The types of posters in the pictures attached are present all over the schools and are there for children to learn about and incorporate cleanliness and emotional regulation. These posters provide reminders for children who still need to practice these skills and allow for them to use the pictures as tools.
One takeaway from my experience shadowing the school nurses is that they create important relationships with the students they serve. Initially I thought that school nurses were only there to fix “boo-boos” and apply ice packs. I ended up learning that they educate, ensure vision and hearing compliance, and are important community members that children rely on to keep them safe and at school.
Department of Economic and Social affairs. (n.d.). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda