History of Nurses in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
According to the NC Department of Health and Human Services, each NC school nurse serves an average of 1,200 students, almost 60% more students than the federally recommended ratio of 1 nurse per 750 students. N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 1 nurse per 750 students. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 1 nurse per 750 students. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Background of School Nurses in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: 30 years ago, Mecklenburg County started funding nurses in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) system. Ever since then, funding has come from the County through the Health Department. Eight (8) years go we had approximately 48 Nurses in our schools. In 2006, the Junior League got involved and started a community campaign. The County Commissioners agreed to increase our Nurses by adding 26 each year until we reached the Center for Disease Control's recommended ratio of 1 Nurse per 750 students. We received an increase in Nurses from 2006-2008 which resulted in the district going from 48 Nurses to 117. Community advocacy worked! In 2009, however, funding for school nurses stopped.
N.C. Parents Advocating for School Health began its efforts in 2012. We found out no additional nurses had been added since 2008 while the student population continued to increase. We began to reach out to our elected officials to ask them to consider adding more funding for school health. A community email and letter writing campaign began. We learned that parents really can make a difference! Mecklenburg County developed a School Health Task Team in early 2013 that wrote a set of recommendations for the County Manager. Support for more Nurses came from many groups, including the Mecklenburg Medical Society, The Epilepsy Foundation of N.C., Parents of Allergic Kids and many others. The Health Department, Interim County Manager's office and many of the County Commissioners offered their support. The Interim County Manager added approximately 1.2 million dollars to his budget for school nurse health funding. Unfortunately, when the County Commissioner's straw vote occurred, some of the proposed marked funds for School Nurses were reallocated. Despite this, approximately $600,000 additional funds were budgeted for school health. This provided an additional 11 nurses and 2 more Supervisors. This was a huge success considering that there had not been any increased funding for School Nurses since 2009! Still, we must continue advocating until we have 1 nurse in every school in CMS and North Carolina!
N.C. Parents Advocating for School Health began its efforts in 2012. We found out no additional nurses had been added since 2008 while the student population continued to increase. We began to reach out to our elected officials to ask them to consider adding more funding for school health. A community email and letter writing campaign began. We learned that parents really can make a difference! Mecklenburg County developed a School Health Task Team in early 2013 that wrote a set of recommendations for the County Manager. Support for more Nurses came from many groups, including the Mecklenburg Medical Society, The Epilepsy Foundation of N.C., Parents of Allergic Kids and many others. The Health Department, Interim County Manager's office and many of the County Commissioners offered their support. The Interim County Manager added approximately 1.2 million dollars to his budget for school nurse health funding. Unfortunately, when the County Commissioner's straw vote occurred, some of the proposed marked funds for School Nurses were reallocated. Despite this, approximately $600,000 additional funds were budgeted for school health. This provided an additional 11 nurses and 2 more Supervisors. This was a huge success considering that there had not been any increased funding for School Nurses since 2009! Still, we must continue advocating until we have 1 nurse in every school in CMS and North Carolina!
Full-Time School Nurses are Basic and Essential
School Nurses are a fundamental part to the safety, health and general welfare of ALL of our children!
Can Teachers and Secretaries Do a Nurses Job?
Well, Let's Define the Job:
The ABC's of School Nursing:
Allergies
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Diabetic
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Nurse to Student Ratio:
2013
143,000 Students 159 schools 117 School Nurses 2013 Nurse/Student Ratio: 1 Nurse per 1222 students Nurses needed for CDC 1/750 ratio: 73 Nurses needed for 1 per school: 42 |
2014
145,000 Students 160 schools 128 School Nurses 2014 Nurse/Student Ratio: 1 Nurse per 1132 students Nurses needed for CDC 1/750 ratio: 65 Nurses needed for 1 per school: 32 |
*N.C.PASH played a role in securing 11 more School Nurse positions IN 2014!