Resolution latest in nurses’ partnership

The AOA House of Delegates has adopted a resolution calling for increased recognition and support of school nurses.

By a voice vote, the resolution passed yesterday afternoon, stating that the “American Optometric Association commends America’s school nurses for their unique role in the health care of our nation’s students…. encourages all optometrists to communicate appropriately, and in a manner that comports with federal, state, and local requirements, with school nurses regarding their referrals; and …. pledges its support to our nation’s school nurses as they carry out their important mission of coordinating and monitoring the health and well-being of our nation’s school-aged children.”

The resolution is the latest in a series of relationship-building projects between the AOA and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

”We envision this partnership to be a long-term relationship,” said Amy Pruszenski, O.D., chair of the AOA’s School Nurse Project Subcommittee. “We plan to work on mutual goals that will be in the best interest of the students and help the nurses have what they need to do their jobs.”

The School Nurse Project Subcommittee was formed to guide the development of new school nurse materials by the AOA.

The NASN agreed to a survey of its members regarding their vision-related concerns. More than 1,500 school nurses took the survey, and more than 1,000 responded affirmatively to the question “May we inform local optometrists of your school’s interest in the AOA’s school nurse resources?”

Based on the information gathered, the AOA will release a school nurse toolkit in September.

“The school nurses feel they are not able to adequately meet the vision needs of the students, and they appreciate the help from optometry,” said Dr. Pruszenski. “It would be good for optometrists to make themselves available as contacts.”

The NASN has announced it was signing on as a supporter of the Vision Care for Kids Act (S. 1117 / H.R. 507), a bipartisan bill designed to ensure that no child is left behind in the classroom due to a treatable vision problem.