School nurse raises alarm over compliance and safety issues

During a recent school board meeting, Patricia Anglin, a school nurse steward, raised significant concerns regarding nursing services within the Manchester School District. Anglin highlighted discrepancies between a job description for student support nurses presented to the board and the agreements made with the union. She expressed disappointment that the board was not informed about the limited clinical supervision responsibilities of school nurses, which she argued could lead to non-compliance with state laws.

Anglin pointed out that not all student support nurses are documenting the care they provide, a requirement under New Hampshire law. She emphasized that this lack of documentation, along with insufficient clinical supervision, poses risks not only to the nurses and the district but also to the licensure of every nurse involved. She cited specific state regulations that mandate proper oversight and documentation practices, stressing that administrators and educators lack the necessary clinical knowledge to evaluate nursing roles effectively.

Furthermore, Anglin urged the district to involve qualified nursing professionals in the hiring process for nursing positions, as current practices may violate nursing laws. She reiterated the importance of adhering to state regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of students, calling for compliance as a necessity rather than an option.

Anglin concluded her remarks by emphasizing the need for the district to honor agreements made with the union and to ensure that accurate information is presented to the board, advocating for a collaborative approach to uphold the standards of nursing care in the district.