The school nurse is the appropriate person to provide coordination for health-related disabilities in the school setting. The IEP team as a whole will address the academic, developmental, social, and emotional needs of the student, the responsibility of the healthcare needs of the student falls directly on the school nurse.

The school nurse’s role in the IEP process may include:

• Assisting in identifying students who may need special educational or health-related services/accommodations
• Assessing the identified student’s functional and physical health status in collaboration with the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), teachers and other school staff, and healthcare providers
• Developing Individualized Health Plan (IHPs) and Emergency Action Plan (EAPs) based on nursing assessments.
• Recommending health-related accommodations or services that may be required for the student to access their education.
• Assisting students, parent(s)/guardians, and teachers to identify and remove health-related barriers.
• Providing in-service training for teachers and staff regarding the individual health needs of the student.
• Training and supervising unlicensed assistive personnel to provide specialized healthcare services in the school setting.

Nursing Staff