Abstract

School nurses play a tremendous role in ensuring successful immunization of students. Currently, there are no standardized practices used by school nurses targeted towards children with chronic health conditions (CCs) to ensure that they receive the influenza vaccine. However,  it is recommended that this population be  immunized annually as influenza vaccine has resoundingly been demonstrated as one of the most clinical efficacious and cost-effective public health strategies ever developed. The overall goal of this project  is to determine whether reminder messages implemented by school nurses will affect the rate that students with chronic conditions receive the influenza vaccine. The secondary goal of this study is to identify how  the use of computer technology can streamline the process of tracking students in need of, and  who receive the influenza vaccine. 

 

Promoting Influenza Vaccination in Students with Chronic Conditions

Research Team:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Study Dates

 

Funding Sources:

Judi Vessey, Phd, MBA, FAAN

Principal Investigator

Judy Aubin, RN, BSN, Med, NCSN

Principal Investigator

Mary Jane O’Brien, RN, MSN, CPNP,NCSN

Co-Investigator

Kathy O’Neill, RN, BSN, MS

Study Coordinator

September 2006-August 2007

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

National Association of School Nurses

 

 

 

Research Team:

 

 

Study Dates:                

 

Funding Source:

Judi Vessey, Phd, MBA, FAAN

Principal Investigator,

Kathy O’Neill, RN, BSN, MS

Research Associate

September 2005-August 2006

 

Deborah Munroe Noonan

Memorial Fund

 

 

 

Building Resiliency in Youths with Disabilities

To Better Address Teasing and Bullying Situations

Abstract

School nurses in collaboration with primary care providers can work together more efficiently to manage asthma. The Asthma Action Plan (AAP) along with peak flow monitoring, can be used by school nurses to communicate more effectively with doctors regarding the school child’s disease management. The aim of this study was to determine if the provision of peak flow meter readings to the primary care provider (PCP) and a request by the school nurse for an Asthma Action Plan (AAP), or a request for an AAP alone will increase the number of AAPs received by the school nurse. The study found a significant increase in AAPs when school nurses provide primary care providers with accurate peak flow data and requested an AAP from the provider than students with asthma whose school nurses just requested an AAP via the students’ parents but did not provide peak flow meter data to the PCP.

 

Pulcini, J., DeSisto, M., McIntyre, L. (2007, In Press). School-based peak flow education and monitoring. Journal of School Nursing.

Abstract

Students with disabilities are more likely to be chronically teased / bullied and suffer negative psychosocial squeal. Proactive interventions can be initiated to help these youths develop coping skills, becoming more resilient in handling such situations. The specific aim of this study were to: 1) identify children with disabilities at-risk for being chronically teased/bullied, and 2) intervene using a web-based program to build resiliency.

This study used a pretest-posttest design with participants serving as their own controls. The sample consisted of 65 students aged 8-14 years, 66.2 % male, 86.5 % white with a wide range of disabilities.  Initially, consent/assent,  demographic information, disability ratings and performance on measures to assess teasing ( Child-Adolescent Testing Scale [CATS]), self-concept, ( Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale [PHCSCS] )and psychological functioning ( Pediatric Symptom checklist [ PSC] ) were obtained. Using materials from the US HSRA’s web-based Stop Bullying Now campaign, 11 school nurses, members of MASNRN led participants in a 12 session, bi-weekly, support/discussion group intervention. Informational activities to improve the school milieu also were disseminated. At the conclusion of the intervention, participants were re-evaluated with the CATS, PCHSCS and PSC. Paired t-test results demonstrated significant differences on the CATS and PHCSCS indicating that serial brief interventions using the above model can help at-risk students become more resilient in handling teasing and bullying.

School Based Peak Flow Education and Monitoring

Research Team:

 

 

 

 

Study Dates:                

 

Funding Source:

Marie DeSisto, RN, BSN, MSN

Principal Investigator

 

Lynne McIntyre, RN, PhD

 

Anne Sheetz, RN, MPH

 

Joyce Pulcini, PhD, RN, CS, PNP, FAAN

 

Judi Vessey, PhD, MBA, FAAN

 

 

September 2005-March 2006

 

 

National Association of School Nurses

 

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