Advocacy and Action: How School Nurses Can Help LGBTQ Students Thrive [Enduring]

Advocacy and Action: How School Nurses Can Help LGBTQ Students Thrive [Enduring] is organized by National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Release Date: 11/03/2022
Reviewed: 11/03/2024
Expiration Date: 11/03/2027

Description:
A veteran school nurse and an educator who runs the Human Rights Campaign's Youth Well-Being Project will describe the current crisis faced by LGBTQ youth and action steps which school nurses can take to create inclusive, affirming school communities to improve long-term health and educational outcomes for LGBTQ youth. This presentation will begin with a review of current literature and evidence-based practices, will define methods to provide staff with professional development and build partnerships within your community, and how to evaluate your school's current climate and practices. Next, we will outline specific measures school nurses can take to improve school climate and safety for LGBTQ youth, thereby reducing health disparities which these youth experience disproportionately. Participants will receive a toolkit with resources and an implementation checklist to take back to their schools, to create their own plans for turning 21st-century school nurse advocacy into action.

Learning Outcomes
As a result of participating in this educational program, learners will be able to: 

• Articulate how to access current evidence-based practice recommendations for interacting with LGBTQ student populations.
• Describe three measures schools can implement to ensure LGBTQ students feel safe and supported at school.
• Cite three health-related outcomes which can be demonstrably improved as a result of implementing LGBTQ-affirming practices in schools.
• Describe how to evaluate current school curricular offerings, and how to advocate for more inclusive curricula in schools.
• Implement policy changes consistent with 21st-century school nursing practice to create safer, healthier communities.