Announcing Clinical Considerations in School-Based Health

Seven Smart Ways to Save Money on

Clinical Considerations in School-based Health

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I'm thrilled to help Dr. Robert Olympia announce the release of 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡-𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝! Dr. Robert Olympia is a pediatric emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of experience, currently practicing in PA. He's also a national expert in school-based emergency preparedness, sports injuries, and pediatric trauma and frequently presents on these topics across the country.

If you’ve seen the new book then you know it’s packed with value and with pages. Over 1,000 of them! This resource covers everything from chronic conditions and sample IHPs to triage protocols, mental health strategies, case studies, and care plans. It’s designed for school-based health professionals — including school nurses like you — and written by a team of clinicians, school nurses, and experts in the field.

Inside you'll find 134 chapters covering:

General school health concepts

Managing the “sick student”

25 chronic conditions with sample IHPs

22 mental & behavioral health conditions

Infectious diseases, trauma, and sports injuries

Adolescent medicine, case studies & more

But let’s be honest- it’s not cheap! So, if the price tag is making you hesitate, here are seven smart, budget-friendly ways to add this powerful resource to your professional toolkit:

1. Use Your School or District’s PD Funds

Many districts allocate money for professional development or nurse-specific continuing education. This book supports chronic condition care, emergency preparedness, and mental health response all part of your role. It’s a great fit for PD funds.

2. Request Reimbursement After Purchase

If you’ve already purchased the book, don’t forget to save your receipt. Most school districts allow reimbursement for job-related materials, especially if you connect it to supporting student health and safety.

3. Ask Your PTO or School Foundation

These organizations often support learning tools and classroom resources, but they’re also open to funding staff tools that directly support students. A quick conversation explaining how this book helps with care planning, emergency response, and student well-being might be all it takes.

4. Buy the Kindle or Digital Version

Check Amazon for a digital version, which is often significantly less expensive than the hardcover. Bonus: it’s searchable, portable, and can be used across devices. Great for those “quick lookup” moments between visits.

5. Share the Cost With a Colleague

If you work with another nurse or health staff in your building or district, consider splitting the cost and sharing access. You can rotate use or store it in a shared space like your district nurse office or health services library.

6. Explore Mini-Grants or State Nurse Associations

Some state school nurse associations offer professional development stipends or small grants. Others have lending libraries or discount codes for members. It’s worth checking!

7. Use DonorsChoose (if eligible)

If you’re a public school nurse, DonorsChoose is an excellent option. Submit a project requesting the book as a professional learning tool. Emphasize its direct connection to student health outcomes, chronic disease management, and health equity.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to drain your personal budget to get access to high-quality clinical resources. Clinical Considerations in School-based Health is an incredible guide for school nurses, and these tips might help you bring it into your practice without the financial strain.

P.S. You don’t need bright blue glasses to read this book, but a comfy chair wouldn’t hurt.

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Happy School Nurse Day 2025

From One School Nurse to Another:

My Why, Then and Now

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Hello School Nurses!

Nearly thirty years ago, I walked into a school nurse's office for the first time as a brand-new school nurse. I had no idea what I was getting into—just a lot of hope. Since then, I’ve cared for thousands of students. I’ve managed everything from scraped knees to medical emergencies, comforted anxious parents, collaborated with educators, and built meaningful relationships with the students who walk through my door each day.

I didn’t know back then that school nursing would become my life’s work. But here I am—three decades later—still passionate, still learning, and still completely in awe of the important role school nurses play.

And lately, something new has been stirring in me: a purpose beyond just my own office walls. Over the years, I’ve seen how many school nurses are thrown into the role without much guidance, support, or training. They’re expected to “figure it out”—and that’s not fair. I remember how overwhelming it was in the beginning. I didn’t have a roadmap. I just pieced things together, one student, one phone call, one spreadsheet at a time.

That’s why I’ve shifted my focus—not away from school nursing, but into it even more deeply. 

Today, my mission is to support new and experienced school nurses through resources, tools, continuing education, and real talk about what this job is really like. Just knowing someone else “gets it” is so important! I’m here. I see you. I am you.

On National School Nurse Day, I want to celebrate you—my fellow school nurses. Your work matters. Your presence in your school makes a difference. You are often the calm in a storm, the comfort in a crisis, and the connector between health and education.

If you’re just starting out, know this: You’re not alone. And if you’ve been doing this a while, you have wisdom to share—and I hope you will.

Here’s to the school nurses. Past, present, and future. Thank you for everything you do. And thank you for letting me be part of your journey.

—Elisabeth AKA The School Nurse

School Nurse Gift Ideas On Amazon

School Nurse gift Ideas On Etsy

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Supporting Students with Type 1 Diabetes: A School Nurse’s Role

Managing Type 1 Diabetes at School

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Diabetes at School: What Every School Nurse Should Know About Type 1

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is one of the most medically complex chronic conditions managed in the school setting—and as the school nurse, you're at the heart of it all. In 2021, it was reported that approximately 1.2 million children and adolescents are estimated to have T1D globally. source

From blood sugar checks to carb counts to emergency responses, students with T1D need daily support to stay safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Whether you’re brand-new to school nursing or just need a refresher, this guide will walk you through what you need to know to feel confident managing diabetes at school.

Type 1 Diabetes: The Basics

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone needed to let glucose into the body’s cells for energy. People with T1D must balance insulin, food, and activity levels 24/7 x 365- no days off!

At school, that means:

• Frequent blood sugar monitoring (fingersticks or CGM)

• Scheduled or flexible insulin doses

• Carb counting for meals/snacks

• Emergency plans for highs (hyperglycemia) or lows (hypoglycemia)

Know the Signs of Highs and Lows

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia):
Can come on fast and be dangerous. Look for:

• Shakiness or dizziness

• Sweating

• Confusion or irritability

• Headache

• Slurred speech

• Seizure or loss of consciousness (in severe cases)

What to do: Follow the student’s Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). Most students will need 15 grams of fast-acting carbs, rechecked in 15 minutes. Always keep emergency glucose and glucagon nearby.

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia):
Usually develops more slowly. Watch for:

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Blurry vision

• Nausea or vomiting (possible DKA warning sign)

What to do: Follow the DMMP, notify parent/guardian, and monitor for ketones if indicated.

What’s in a DMMP—and Why It Matters

The Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) is your go-to guide for managing each individual student’s care. It’s typically written by the student’s diabetes care provider and signed by the parent/guardian.

It covers:

• Blood glucose monitoring schedule

• Insulin dosing and delivery method (injections or insulin pump)

• Meal and snack plans

• Exercise considerations

• Emergency actions for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

• When to call home—or 911

Keep it updated and easy to access.

Know the Law: Diabetes Care in Schools

In Illinois, the Care of Students with Diabetes Act (105 ILCS 145/) outlines specific responsibilities for schools and staff supporting students with diabetes. It requires schools to:

• Follow the student’s DMMP as written by their healthcare provider

• Allow capable students to self-manage their care (including testing and insulin) in the classroom or elsewhere

• Ensure trained school staff are available to recognize and respond to diabetes-related emergencies

Not in Illinois? Be sure to check your own state’s laws. Many states have similar protections to ensure students with diabetes can safely participate in all school activities.

Snacks, Supplies, and School Staff

Make sure students:

• Have access to snacks and water at all times

• Can carry glucose tabs or juice

• Know where to go when they feel “off”

And don’t forget your team. Educating teachers, coaches, lunch staff, and even bus drivers on basic signs of high/low blood sugar can make all the difference.

Communication Is Key

A solid communication plan with families helps keep everyone on the same page. Use daily logs, messaging apps, or email—whatever works best. Ask questions. Clarify unclear orders. Keep the DMMP updated.

And most importantly: listen to the student. They live with this every day. Even young students often know their bodies better than anyone.

Pro Tips from The School Nurse

• Have a quick-grab “diabetes emergency kit” in the health office

• Laminate a hypoglycemia cheat sheet to post in your office

• Schedule a staff in-service at the beginning of the school year

• Advocate for 504 Plans when needed

• Don’t forget to check expiration dates on glucagon and supplies

Final Thoughts

Managing Type 1 Diabetes at school can feel like a lot, especially in the beginning. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. Lean on your school nurse community, ask for support when you need it, and create systems that make daily care smoother for both you and your students. Want to make things easier? Grab my ready-to-go T1D Printable Resources HERE!

 

 

Top 10 Type 1 Diabetes Resources for School Nurses & Families

1. American Diabetes Association – Safe at School

https://diabetes.org/safeatschool Includes training resources, sample care plans, and guidance on students’ legal rights related to diabetes care at school.

2. National Association of School Nurses (NASN) – Diabetes Resources

https://www.nasn.org/nasn-resources/resources-by-topic/diabetes Offers evidence-based practice tools, care coordination tips, and policy updates for managing diabetes in the school setting.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Managing Diabetes

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/children.html Provides guidance for supporting children with diabetes, including school accommodations and safety measures.

4. JDRF (now Breakthrough T1D) – T1D School Resources

https://www.breakthrought1d.org/t1d-resources/school/ Features school readiness tips, 504 Plan tools, classroom management strategies, and parent resources.

5. Joslin Diabetes Center – School Nurse Information

https://joslin.org/services/pediatric-diabetes/educational-programs/resources-school-nurses Educational tools for school staff, including diabetes care plans and communication checklists.

6. Beyond Type 1 – Educator Resources

https://beyondtype1.org/t1d-and-school/ Practical tips for school staff and families, covering everything from school supplies to emergency protocols.

7. Oregon School Nurses Association – T1D Toolkit

https://www.oregonschoolnurses.org/oregonschoolnurses/resources/toolkits/t1d-toolkit-for-school-nurses Toolkit with editable care plans, delegation guidance, and best practices for diabetes management in schools.

8. Children With Diabetes – School and Legal Support

https://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/for-parents/diabetes-at-school/ Guidance on students’ rights, 504 Plan tips, and advice for ensuring safe diabetes care in school.

9. Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists – T1D School Strategies

https://www.adces.org/store/online-education/detail/going-to-school-with-t1d-essential-insights-strategies-v2 Online course designed for educators and parents to improve diabetes care understanding in school settings.

10. KidsHealth – Diabetes in Children

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/diabetes.html Family-friendly diabetes education, including school-specific tips, sick day management, and glucose monitoring basics.

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