The Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives (MOEC) wishes to thank and recognize school nurses across its 25 collaboratives as part of School Nurse Day.
School Nurse Day is celebrated annually on the Wednesday of National Nurse Week. This year, it takes place on Wednesday, May 11.
The day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting, and to recognize the hard work and dedication of school nurses nationwide. The theme of this year’s School Nurse Day is: “School Nurses: Bridging Healthcare and Education.”
“For collaboratives, nurses are pivotal in ensuring that students thrive at school, particularly when serving students who are medically fragile and require specialized health care programs. They have always been a key part of what we do, but we needed them more their ever during the last two years. ” Executive Director Joanne Haley Sullivan said. “Our nurses poured their time and effort into keeping some of the most vulnerable students in the Commonwealth safe and healthy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and they deserve recognition for all that they have done and continue to do.”
Nurses play a critical role in collaboratives across the Commonwealth. Collaboratives support students with a range of needs, including those with chronic conditions, mobility challenges, or who are medically fragile. In addition to performing tasks like basic first aid, administering medication, and providing health education, collaborative nurses provide personalized care to support the specific needs of students.
Many collaborative nurses work in individual classrooms or with individual students who require specialized medical procedures. Such nurses may monitor equipment such as G-tubes, catheters, ventilators, and tracheal tubes.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborative nurses worked diligently to help alleviate anxiety, educate community members about the pandemic, and coordinate COVID-19 testing and response. They also provided personalized support for students during transitions from in-person to remote learning.
Collaborative nurses put thoughtful planning into working with students in need of special care. They work closely with hospitals, doctors, teachers, and parents, utilizing a team approach, to ensure that students may participate fully in educational and social opportunities.
In recognition of School Nurse Day, MOEC and the National Association of School Nurses encourage families and students to thank their school nurses.
For more information on School Nurse Day, please click here.
About Massachusetts Organization
of Educational Collaboratives
MOEC represents the Commonwealth’s 25 educational collaboratives. MOEC serves as the voice of its members and works to develop a full appreciation for and understanding of educational collaboratives at the state, regional, and local levels. MOEC is the Commonwealth’s primary advocate for collaboratives and the critical role they play in the Massachusetts educational system.
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