ST JOHNS, Fla. — School is back in session for students in St. Johns County, and the school nurse will not be the only staff member able to render aid to students.
According to St. Johns County School District, health services has been providing training for school staff to assist in clinic support this school year.
The district is following a school board rule and state statute that requires all schools to have two back-up staff members trained for clinic coverage.
Silvia Peterson is a grandparent to a St Johns County Elementary school student with diabetes.
While she said parents were given the heads up on this being implemented in the schools, she still has concerns.
"It’s imperative he has someone there to help him with the insulin calculations and stuff throughout the day," she said, "I just don’t quite understand how anybody in the office would help or know anything about insulin or a diabetic type 1, that’s my worries."
According to school leaders, two designated staff members from each school received in-person training and online training on medication administration basics, clinic protocols and health emergencies.
"I think they will try their very best and I trust them to do the best they can," said Peterson.
First Coast News reached out the National Association of School Nurses. They referred us to their position statement:
“It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that access to a registered professional nurse (hereinafter referred to as a school nurse) all day, every day can improve students’ health, safety, and educational achievement. Student acuity and school community indicators should be assessed to determine appropriate staffing levels. Access to a school nurse may mean that more than one school nurse is necessary to meet the needs of the school population. School nurse workloads should be evaluated on at least an annual basis to meet the health and safety needs of school communities."