School Nurse Alternative Schedule Project

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The goal of this project was to develop an alternative staffing proposal that would meet the health needs of students, meet planning needs for school nurses, as well as provide cost savings to schools and other program funders. This project served to meet an organizational and community needs in order to ensure school nursing services to the county’s school-age population over the long term. If children are not healthy and ready to learn, their grades and potential for success in school will suffer. Ultimately, a 905 work schedule was created that allowed improved program efficiency, provided the opportunity for school nurses to be off 5.2 weeks every summer, provided effective utilization of program funding, and more closely aligned the school nurse work schedule with that of the school schedule. By transitioning to this modified work schedule, a cost savings of $117, 129 was realized. The decision to transition to the 90% work schedule program saved school nursing jobs in uncertain economic times. The integrity of the program remained intact, outcomes were not compromised, and schools were able to realize a cost-savings, thus leading to healthier school children and a healthier community.