6th Annual Judith Ramaley Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship
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Poster #109 School Nurses’ Thoughts About the Management of Food Allergies in Public Schools Katie Lemke and Maggie Suess Faculty Mentors: Kathryn Lammers and Linda Heath A decreasing amount of school nurses and a growing rate of children with food allergies can pose a significant concern about their health management in schools. The purpose of this qualitative study is to analyze the challenges of school nurses to safely manage food allergy reactions and to gain insight about how school nurses feel food allergies have been addressed in their schools. Also the purpose is to increase awareness of the rising issue of children with food allergies. To understand the management of food allergies in schools, the researchers completed a review of the literature and interviewed two school nurses from Southeastern Minnesota with individual 40-minute interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for significant statements. The results showed many barriers to the management of food allergies in schools, which included confidentiality, emergency planning, and staff education and training. The school nurses provided suggestions to ways in handling these issues and also gave their overall thoughts about this health concern. School nurses help ensure that children with food allergies are able to learn without their food allergy hindering them. |
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