Nursing

School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.

School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.

Core Duties of a School Nurse

• Immunization Monitoring (PA Department of Education Immunization Requirements)
• Infectious Disease Monitoring
• Physicals and Screenings
• Medication Dispensing
• First Aid
• Health and Wellness Programs

Immunizations

In Pennsylvania, school-age children must meet specific immunization requirements on the first day of school. Without the necessary immunizations or an approved medical or religious/philosophical exemption, children will be excluded from school. Additionally, in the event of an outbreak, unvaccinated students may be excluded from attending.

Key Steps for Families

1. Consult Your Physician: Before the school year begins, consult with your child’s physician to ensure their immunizations are up-to-date.
2. Submit Immunization Records: Provide an official immunization record from your doctor to your school’s certified nurse.
3. Schedule Appointments: If your child is missing required immunizations, schedule an appointment and send in the documentation.
4. Medical Plan Form: If your child has not received the required doses, submit an immunization medical plan form (red and white card completed by a physician) within the first five days of school, or your child may be excluded.

Current Immunization Requirements:

• For attendance in all grades, 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
• For attendance in all grades, 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (4th dose on or after 4th birthday)
• For attendance in all grades, 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella ( preferably given as MMR )
• For attendance in all grades, 3 doses of Hepatitis B
• For attendance in all grades, 2 doses of Varicella or chicken pox from vaccine or by history of disease
• For attendance in 7th grade, 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of 7th grade
• For attendance in 7th grade, 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 7th grade
• For attendance in 12th grade, 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 12th grade (If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose)

Please note that WPSD responsibilities relative to the enforcement of the law will be based on the following criteria:

1. Proof of Immunization, rather than parent recall, is required
2. The minimum required immunizations must be documented for enrollment into school unless there is a valid exemption.
3. The immunization histories of all transfer students must be reviewed for completeness, and corrective action taken when necessary.