Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare blood disorder that can have life-threatening complications. This presents a challenge for school nurses who may have had limited experience managing complications in the school setting. This study assessed the experience, self-reported knowledge, confidence and ability of school nurses in managing SCD in the school-setting and identified continuing educational needs and preferences. This study used a qualitative, descriptive approach. A survey was previously administered to over 400 school nurses who worked in K-12 schools in Ohio. Those participants who reported experience with managing SCD were invited to participate in a focus group or semi-structured interview. Data were interpreted using thematic analysis strategy. Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) perceived lack of support and resources, (2) self-reported lack of knowledge about SCD, (3) importance of partnerships with parents, and (4) need for continuing education and networking with other school nurses. Easily accessible, educational interventions, along with peer networking, can be designed to improve school nurse knowledge and confidence levels in managing SCD. These types of on-demand interventions are important as many school nurses reported infrequent exposure to students with SCD.
Highlights
Published: 5 November 2021School nurses play a vital role in providing comprehensive healthcare services to students during the school day, including those with chronic illnesses
A few of the school nurses noted previous experience working as nurses in hospital settings and having negative interactions with patients with Sickle cell disease (SCD), in some cases leading to an implicit bias towards patients with
While SCD is the most common genetic disorder in the United States, many school nurses may not have previous exposure to this population and the complex health challenges that may occur. This presents a unique challenge to developing timely continuing education interventions that can be accessed by school nurses when needed
Summary
School nurses play a vital role in providing comprehensive healthcare services to students during the school day, including those with chronic illnesses. School nurses are often faced with managing the complications students may experience in the school setting and should be prepared to treat those emergencies in the most effective way possible. Researchers report that many school professionals, including school nurses, may not have adequate preparation, training, or knowledge to best help students with chronic illnesses [1]. Affects the red blood cells and can affect individuals of African, Mediterranean, or. An estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States live with SCD and over 2000 newborns are diagnosed annually [3]. Children with SCD suffer from a wide variety of acute and chronic medical complications and may suffer serious morbidity, poor health-related quality of life, and early mortality. Children with SCD are at-risk for serious medical complications including acute chest syndrome, silent stroke, overwhelming sepsis rapidly leading to death, and pulmonary or cardiac complications [4]
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