Some California Schools May Lose Majority of Nurses

Maine Nurse, May-Jul 2004 by Maslan, Maryann

Vallejo public school nurse Kathy Hahn is responsible for the health care of 2,650 students, a number that could more than double if district budget cuts include nurses.

Of the nine registered nurses in the Valley City Unified School District, five were sent notices of potential layoffs on March 15. The elimination of those positions would save the district about $336,000, according to human resources department figures released March 10.

The proposed cuts would leave four nurses districtwide to care for students who need special procedures every day. They would also be responsible for the rest of the student population, Hahn said.

"If we could do (manage with the staff cuts), there would not be enough time for regular education students who would be left out," Hahn said. "I don't know how the district will cope."

A registered nurse's day varies, including many asthmatic students, students on ventilators, need catheterization or tracheostomy care, which includes cleaning the breathing tube.

About 30 of the district's 18,800 students require special procedures, she said.

Also of concern is the increasing number of children requiring a nurse's care because of allergies to things like peanuts and bee stings, Hahn said.

"There is a growing list of diabetics who need regular insulin that can be given only by a nurse," Hahn said.

Nurses train special education aids to do some of the care and offer support to families who need to obtain glasses for children or who need a primary care physician.

"We are always on the go and carry cell phones so we can be reached wherever we are," Hahn said.

Under their contract agreement, effective until June 30, 2005, unless re-negotiated, the ratio of nurses to students is supposed to be 1 to 2,650, said Janice Sullivan, Vallejo Education Association president.

"How are three nurses going to do vision, hearing and scoliosis testing as well as fragile kids?" Sullivan said.

"How would it happen? Nothing has been shared with us (by the district)."

If the board votes to eliminate the five nursing positions, one solution would be to consolidate students with special needs into one or two schools, though it is more desirable to have those students mainstreamed, said Rozzana Verder-Aliga, the school board's president.

Although health technicians might be able to do some of the screening, "no one else will be able to do the job (of nurses)," she said.

District Deputy Superintended Cliff Solari said nurses, instead of being assigned to certain schools as they are now, could be assigned by need.

"The (cuts) have an effect. Kids won't be seen as often," Solari said.

The possible elimination of five nurse positions is not scheduled for board consideration at tonight's meeting.

by Maryann Maslan, Times-Herald staff writer