MANDATING SCHOOL NURSES

WHEREAS, pupils need to be in an optimal state of health to benefit from educational programs; and

WHEREAS, school nurses have knowledge and skills in child and adolescent development, the educational process, the disorders that interfere with pupils' capacity to learn, and the special needs of handicapped pupils; and

WHEREAS, school nurses are an integral part of the school staff with professional preparation comparable to that of certified teachers:

RESOLVED, that AFT encourage states to promote legislation that would mandate that each school district establish and maintain a position of school nurse to be filled by a registered nurse to serve the children; and

RESOLVED, that AFT promote the recognition of school nurses as qualified members of the faculty with specialized skills and duties. Such skills and duties should be enumerated in a written guideline and incorporated into the collective bargaining agreement so as to define and protect it as bargaining unit work.