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School nurses play crucial role containing COVID-19 cases on campuses


(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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This week more Central Texas schools returned to in-person learning and school nurses are playing a crucial role in containing COVID-19 cases on campuses.

Texas School Nurse Organization President Karen Schwind says there have been challenges as they work to ensure safe school re-openings. "Definitely a change in the day to day for the school nurse," she said

Austin Public Health continues to monitor an increase in cases among teens. A population school districts will soon be phasing back into the classroom.

Texas has no requirements on school nurses, and staffing is left to each individual school district.

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Schwind says school nurses are juggling the responsibility of quarantining, contact tracing, and isolating students on top of their normal duties, "We are finding that we have to take care of those students, as well as the routine students that might be coming through the door."

She also says nurses need more PPE to adequately treat students. "The Texas Education Agency has provided school districts with basic equipment such as masks, gloves and face shields but not anything specific for the school nurse," Schwind said.

Looking ahead, Schwind says its important school districts honor the role of a school nurse as essential. "The nurse school is definitely on the front lines of greeting and meeting those students and staff who are exhibiting symptoms," she said.



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