Abstract
Purpose
This study explores school nurses' emergency care experiences and their needs for systemic institutional support.
Methods
Data were collected in 2016 from the interviews with five focus groups comprising thirty school nurses. Qualitative content analysis was then performed using the collected data.
Results
The study found that school nurses were vulnerable to over-reaction in uncertain situations as the school's sole health service provider. The study's findings are divided into ten categories. 1) Major obstacles to overcome as the sole health service provider, 2) Assessing an uncertain situation and making appropriate decisions, 3) Providing limited first aid while maintaining control over the situation, 4) Referring or transferring a student to a hospital that creates tensions and raises cost, 5) Becoming an advocate for information disclosure and treatment, 6) Ensuring follow-up actions and proper transfer of responsibility, 7) Making preparations for future emergency, 8) Responding to conflicts arising from over-reaction as a safeguard and professional expertise, 9) Need for the development of standardized manual for school emergency care, 10) Need for practical case-based training.
References
1. Elgie R, Sapien R, Fullerton L, Moore B. School nurse online emergency preparedness training: An analysis of knowledge, skills, and confidence. The Journal of School Nursing. 2010; 26(5):368–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840510372090.
2. Olympia RP, Wan E, Avner JR. The preparedness of schools to respond to emergencies in children: a national survey of school nurses. Pediatrics. 2005; 116(6):738–745. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-1474.
3. Council on School Health. Medical emergencies occurring at school. Pediatrics. 2008; 122(4):887–894.
4. School Safety and Insurance Federation. Accident and compensation statistics [Internet]. Seoul: School Safety and Insurance Federation;2017. [cited 2017 March 3]. Available from:. http://www.ssif.or.kr/06_participation/part05.html.
5. Evans W, Ficca M. The school nurse role in preparing for sudden cardiac arrest in the school setting. The Journal of School Nursing. 2012; 28(6):418–422. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840512451743.
6. Kim HH, Lee SK, Min YG, Choi SC, Jung YS, Ahn JH. Educational needs and perceptions of school nurses regarding emergency situations in school: Focus on differences based on the general characteristics of school nurses. Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. 2011; 22(5):536–542.
7. Flaherty EA. Emergency preparedness: School nurses leading the way. NASN School Nurse. 2013; 28(4):192–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602X12466431.
8. Lee JH, Lee BS. Self role perception of health teachers in elementary schools. Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing. 2010; 21(4):398–408. https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2010.21.4.398.
9. Wikipedia. Emergency nursing [Internet]. Wikipedia. 2017; [cited 2017 March 3]. Available from:. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_nursing.
10. Rosenblum RK, Sprague-McRae J. Using principles of quality and safety education for nurses in school nurse continuing education. The Journal of School Nursing. 2014; 30(2):97–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840513489710.
11. Lee JH, Lee BS. Role adaptation process of elementary school health teachers: Establishing their own positions. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2014; 44(3):305–316. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2014.44.3.305.
12. Kruger BJ, Radjenovic D, Toker KH, Comeaux J. School nurses who only care for children with special needs: Working in a teacher's world. The Journal of School Nursing. 2009; 25(6):436–444. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840509349724.
13. Jang KS. A study on establishment of clinical career development model of nurses [dissertation]. [Seoul]: Yonsei University;2000. p. 201.
14. Morgan DL, Krueger RA. Focus Group Kit. 1st ed.Shin KN, Jangy EJ, Kim YK, Lee GJ, Choe GM, Kim HY, et al., translator. Seoul: Hyunmoon;2004.
15. Elo S, Kyngäs H. The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2008; 62(1):107–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x.
16. Charmaz K. Construction grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. 1st ed.Park HS, Lee SK, Lee CW, translator. Seoul: Hakjisa;2013.
17. Kruger BJ, Toker KH, Radjenovic D, Comeaux JM, Macha K. School nursing for children with special needs: Does number of schools make a difference? Journal of School Health. 2009; 79(8):337–346. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00419.x.
18. Im MY, Lee SY. Job analysis of school health teachers in Korea - Based on DACUM job analysis. Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing. 2014; 28(3):619–632. https://doi.org/10.5932/jkphn.2014.28.3.619.
19. Maughan E, Adams R. Educators' and parents' perception of what school nurses do: The influence of school nurse/student ratios. The Journal of School Nursing. 2011; 27(5):355–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840511416368.
20. Hohenhaus SM. Pediatric emergency preparedness in schools: A report from the 2001 southeastern regional EMSC annual meeting. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2001; 27(4):353–356. https://doi.org/10.1067/men.2001.117419.
21. Bittenbender P, Nortier N, Obrien C, Oosterheert J, Smoes J. Emergencies happen, MERTs to the rescue! NASN School Nurse. 2009; 24(6):268–278. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602x09342442.
22. Tuck CM, Haynie K, Davis C. Emergency preparedness and response in the school setting: The role of the school nurse [Internet]. Washington: National Association of School Nurses;2011. [cited 2017 January 2]. Available from:. https://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/smid/824/ArticleID/117/Default.aspx.
23. Choi UJ. Understanding and use of emergency medical service system by health educator. The Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medical Technology. 2008; 12(2):59–69.
24. Elgie R, Sapien R, Fullerton-Gleason L. The new Mexico school nurse and emergency medical services emergency preparedness course: Program description and evaluation. The Journal of School Nursing. 2005; 21(4):218–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405050210040601.
25. Duff CL. The healthcare plan: prevention, preparedness, and response. NASN School Nurse. 2013; 28(6):276–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602x13506371.
26. Cagginello J, Blackborow M, Porter J, Disney J, Andresen K, Tuck C. Unlicensed assistive personnel in the school setting: Position statement. Washington: National Association of School Nurses;2006. [cited 2017 January 3]. Available from:. https://www.nasn.org/PolicyAdvocacy/PositionPapersandReports/NASNPositionStatementsFullView/tabid/462/ArticleId/21/Delegation-Nursing-Delegation-to-Unlicensed-Assistive-Personnel-in-the-School-Setting-Revised-June-2.
27. Rice SK, Biordi DL, Zeller RA. The relevance of standards of professional school nursing practice. The Journal of School Nursing. 2005; 21(5):293–298. https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405050210050801.
28. Kano M, Ramirez M, Ybarra WJ, Frias G, Bourque LB. Are schools prepared for emergencies? A baseline assessment of emergency preparedness at school sites in three Los Angeles county school districts. Education and Urban Society. 2007; 39(3):399–422. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013124506298130.
29. National Association School Nurse (NASN). Framework for 21st century school nursing practice. NASN School Nurse. 2016; 31(1):45–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/1942602X15618644.
30. Newell ME. Educational preparation for the role of the school nurse: Perceptions of school nurses in Washington State [dissertation]. [Minnesota]: Capella University;2013. p. 110.
Table 1.
Group A=Novice group,<1year of experience in school; Group B=Advanced beginner group, 1year≤and<3years of experience in school; Group C=Competent group, 3years≤and<6years of experience in school; Group D=Proficient 1 group, 6years≤and<16years of experience in school; Group E=Proficient 2 group,≥16years of experience in school.