Enhancing the Capacity of School Nurses to Reduce Student Anxiety

Enhancing the Capacity of School Nurses to Reduce Student Anxiety is organized by National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Release Date: 12/01/2023
Expiration Date: 12/01/2026

Description:
The prevalence of mental health (MH) problems is increasing among school-age children. Close to 10% of children 3-17 years meet the full criteria of an anxiety disorder, and another 10% experience excessive anxiety that causes impairment in daily functioning. School nurses play a pivotal role in assessment, identification, intervention, referral, and follow-up of students with MH concerns. It is estimated school nurses (SN) spend approximately 33% of their time addressing student MH concerns. Despite this documented role, SNs report they would benefit from additional education in counseling skills and MH. In the Fall of 2021, the Minnesota (MN) Department of Health invited school health services staff across the state to participate in a survey about professional development. The top interest/need was “mental health.” In November of 2022, a survey of MN school nurses was launched to help understand more specifically what the need and interest is related to “mental health.” The most common mental health issue was anxiety. They also expressed it was very important to receive professional development on this topic.

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

• Describe how the scope of the problem of pediatric anxiety impacts student health and learning.
• Articulate why the school nurse must be engaged with the school-based mental health team.
• Apply the steps of the nursing process to providing care for students with the full criteria for an anxiety disorder and those experiencing excessive anxiety that causes impairment.
• Outline three reasons participation with CALM (Child Anxiety Learning Modules) can advance your school nursing practice.