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Every child in Iowa has different healthcare providers, unique healthcare needs, and may have different healthcare devices. School nurses will be brought various devices from parents for the care of their child(ren). The school nurse collaborates with parents/guardians and relies on the manufacturers of the device and the child(ren)’s licensed healthcare provider(s) for information to ensure safe delivery of care.
Parents may not understand that the specialized practice of school nursing is unlike a static healthcare facility (e.g. hospital or clinic) who may use certain brand(s) of devices that extends beyond parent choice. This care is also different from the care parents would provide in the home setting. The school nurse employed by the business (school) is held to higher regulatory standards than parents at home and is serving hundreds of children.
Parents are welcome to be guest speakers in collaboration alongside the school nurse employed by the school or program in educating unlicensed personnel on the delivery of delegated health services for their child. However, the school is a business and held to higher regulatory standards than parents at home, so the school nurse and licensed educator in the school or program is required to ensure the healthcare related training is provided by appropriate licensed personnel using evidence-based delivery to align with policy and safe practice.