Call Widens For More School Nurses
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The shortage of nurses in school districts across the nation -- including Philadelphia, which has furloughed dozens of school nurses over the past couple of years -- has resulted in a bill being introduced in the US Senate to ensure a nurse in every school.
US Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) today said he is endorsing the bill which was introduced earlier this year by a Montana senator. It would call for one nurse for every 750 students. Currently, the accepted ratio is one nurse to 1,500 students.
"Today's students face more medically complex conditions and chronic health illnesses, including asthma, diabetes, food allergies, obesity, mental health and behavioral issues," notes Cheryl Peiffer, president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.
She says students in poor districts often rely solely on school nurses for medical attention, including mental health support, early intervention screenings, and more.
Sen. Casey says the Nurse Ratio Improvement Act will probably not move out of committee until next year.
