Students with Diabetes Have Nursing Assistance

By Hailey Black, BSN, RN, Community Public Health Director Calhoun County

When a person pictures a school nurse, they might envision a relic of the past with the crisp white nurse’s cap and a thermometer in hand, at the ready with band-aids. The current reality of health needs in schools is much more complex. “In the United States, more than 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic health condition, such as asthma, obesity, other physical conditions, and behavior/learning problems,” according to the CDC. This means that schools share in the responsibility for caring for children with chronic illnesses during the school day.

Enter the School Wellness Program of Calhoun County Public Health Department. The CCPHD School Wellness Program works with Battle Creek Public Schools, Harper Creek Community Schools, and the Lakeview School District to place registered nurses in our local schools. These nurses have the shared goal of keeping kids healthy and in school, ready to learn. One of the major ways they can do that is by providing case management to students and families with these chronic illnesses.

Diabetes is an illness that makes it difficult for the body to regulate its blood sugar levels. This can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and upset stomach. Severe problems can lead to organ problems and coma. Diabetes is increasing in school age children. When a child does not have well controlled diabetes, they can have trouble focusing in class, or be frequently sick and miss class and experience hospitalizations.

The school nurse is an important partner for a student with diabetes. Young students will see the school nurse every day for assistance with counting carbohydrates, checking blood sugar, and getting insulin. What may begin as a scary diagnosis and information overload turns into a trusting relationship with the school nurse and a reliable partner at the school. Caregivers feel secure knowing the school nurse is there, knows their child, and has expertise in their child’s condition.

The school nurse works with the school and the family to make sure that managing the student’s diabetes is doable. She will work with the family to see what challenges they are having and help with a plan to address them. These could be trouble getting to appointments, paying for medicine, or language barriers. She will work with the school so they understand the student’s illness. This may be helping the teacher in identifying the student’s symptoms of low blood sugar, so they can get it back on track and be able to focus on learning and having fun

Eventually, the nurse will help the growing student learn to manage their own blood sugars. They will be able to listen to their own body, count their carbs, and take their own insulin. CCPHD school nurses have even arranged peer support groups, where students get to connect with people their age having the same experiences.

The School Wellness Program provides more than band aids- it’s a whole community approach to education.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/diabetes.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/chronicconditions.htm

https://www.calhouncountymi.gov/departments/public_health_department/school_wellness_program.php