PA Nurses Assoc Publishes New Position Papers

**NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN** · Apr 4, 2008

from pa nurses e-update

school nurse to student ratio - the ratio of 1500 students to 1 school nurse was introduced in the pa public school code of 1965. since then, the school nurse has had to add many duties to the services they provide due to the education for all handicapped children act of 1975. more children with special needs are attending school. these children require more complex and time consuming medical procedures. these children have a right to have their health needs met so that optimum learning can occur.

pa state nurses association position
the position of the pa state nurses association on school nurse staffing in the commonwealth is that there should be a certified school nurse in every school with a ratio no higher than one certified school nurse for every 750 students, half of the current state regulations mandating one certified school nurse to every 1500 students. in addition, the certified school nurse ratio should be decreased as the population of children with special needs increases. the ratio for mainstreamed students should be 1: 225 and a ratio no higher than one certified school nurse for every 125 students in student populations that may require daily professional school nursing services or interventions, and/or with severely or profoundly handicapped students.

end of life – end-of-life care has had an impressive series of milestones. from 1974 – 2004 the number of hospices grew from zero to 3,200. nursing specialty organizations have fully engaged and supported promotion of excellence in end of life care. act 169, the advanced directive law, went into law on january 29, 2007 and includes many changes including the advocacy role of professional nurses in support of patients and families during end-of-life care.

pa state nurses association position
the position of the pa state nurses association on promotion of excellence in end-of-life care is that professional nurses shall advocate for advance directive completion for all competent pennsylvanians and shall support the patient, family, healthcare agent &/or representative as advance directives become operational.

info: www.panurses.org

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