Legislative Platform

The School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM) supports public policies that promote the welfare of children and families and recognize the needs of children and families as a high priority for investing in our future. ~ Adopted by Board of Directors October 9, 2010

SNOM's legislative platform was developed by the Legislative Committee under the past leadership of Denise Herrmann and Liz Zeno.

Education

SNOM supports:

Full and stable funding for public education, including funding for core education services and student support services that reduce barriers to learning.

Early childhood screening, services, and quality programs that prepare young children for school readiness.

Efforts at the local, state and national level which seek to leverage funding through partnerships, collaboratives and other joint ventures.

Use of National Association of School Nurses (NASN) recommended nurse to student ratios as a method to determine baseline services in the educational setting. Individual districts/schools must assess the health needs of the student population to determine an appropriate staffing pattern.

Expansion of mandates affecting school nursing practice and duties when accompanied by additional resources.

The selection of health education programs that are based on evidence of effectiveness, use proven strategies, are medically accurate and developmentally appropriate.

SNOM recognizes that student support services (nursing, social work, counseling, chemical health and psychology) are essential to student success, and recognizes the roles and contributions of those professionals.

Health Care Access

SNOM supports:

Public policy and legislation that provides health care coverage to all children (0-21) in Minnesota including physical, mental, and dental health.

Efforts of local and state health care agencies and providers to eliminate barriers to health care and reduce health disparities.

The rights of minors to consent to and access confidential health care services while promoting the involvement of parents in their adolescent's health care.

Healthcare reform initiatives which acknowledge include and fund school health services.

Healthy and Safe School Environments

SNOM supports:

A school climate that provides a safe and healthy learning environment that includes building structural safety, healthy air quality and establishing policies/procedures which address these issues.

Development and implementation of programming to promote and address mental health needs of students.

Policies that promote healthy eating habits and physical activity.

The role of the schools as an integral part of the community's emergency preparedness and response.

Continued collaboration and communication between MDH and MDE to support school health services as a unique and necessary service for both agencies.

SNOM recognizes the essential role of schools as part of the public health system in addressing disease prevention and control.

Scope of Practice

SNOM supports:

Setting standards for school health programming and services using best practices and evidence-based models for managing chronic diseases.

Licensure of school nurses through the Minnesota Board of Teaching as the basic standard for school nursing practice.

The protection and development of the Licensed School Nurse (LSN) scope of practice.

The LSN's role in the special education process as belonging exclusively within the LSN scope of practice.

SNOM recognizes the LSN as the authority to assess, plan, and evaluate nursing care for students. Others may implement nursing cares as delegated by the LSN.

SNOM recognizes the LSN as the authority to delegate nursing care within the educational setting.