Dr. Ellen McCabe, an assistant professor at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, received two research grants this month.
The first grant is from the National Association of School Nurses. The title of the grant is A nationwide cross-sectional study to examine the association between district-level school nurse staffing characteristics and school districts’ provision of health services for children with chronic illness. The purpose of this study is to fill a gap in the literature by analyzing the association between national school district policies regarding nurse staffing characteristics and the provision of school-based services for children with chronic illness.
The second is a PSC CUNY grant entitled, A nationwide cross-sectional study to examine school nurse staffing characteristics and school districts’ policies on nurses’ involvement with IEPs and 504 plans. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between district-level policy adoption on school nurse staffing characteristics and district policies regarding school nurse participation in the development of IEPs and section 504 plans.
While these studies differ, the overarching aim is to explore the structural measures of school health services, contribute to guidelines, and create resources for stakeholders. An understanding of national school district policies will lead to recommendations to address the provision of chronic illness management in schools. Interventions based on sound policies will support and improve school nursing care and promote health outcomes for children.