Who’s Who in the Nursing & Wellness Department
In 2018-19, Health Offices across San Diego Unified School District are staffed with members of the Nursing & Wellness Department nearly every day, in nearly every school. School Nurses, paraprofessionals, and our District Physician work as a team to provide daily consistent support and care to students.
School Nurses are professional Registered Nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor’s Degree and a California Health Services Credential, the “nursing version” of a teaching credential. Most of our nurses also have a Master’s Degree in Nursing or Education. Some of our school nurses are also Nurse Practitioners (NPs), who are Advanced Practice RNs with a specialty in Family Medicine or Pediatrics.
Our paraprofessionals are Health Technicians (HT) and Special Education Health Technicians (SEHT) who are highly trained classified staff that work closely with their school nurses to provide quality and consistent care to our students. They receive formal training every year in departmental practices and specific health care procedures (catheterization, diabetic care, emergency seizure care, etc.).
Both RNs and paraprofessionals are supported by a Professional Development program provided by the Nursing & Wellness Department throughout the year.
Our District Physician is a Pediatrician associated with UCSD and works closely with our School Nurses to provide recommendations for complex health care plans, facilitate communication with community physicians, consult on complex IEP and 504 services, train our paraprofessionals on administering OTC medication, and collaborate with American Academy of Pediatrics in San Diego, to bring current best practices into SDUSD and educate local physicians on school-related issues.
The SDUSD Nursing staff works under a written philosophy of embracing Trauma Informed Care, Restorative Practices, and Mindfulness to achieve optimal health and well-being of our school community. Healthy kids make better students, and the Department of Nursing & Wellness is committed to the educational success of our all of our children.
Both RNs and paraprofessionals are supported by a Professional Development program provided by the Nursing & Wellness Department throughout the year.
Our District Physician is a Pediatrician associated with UCSD and works closely with our School Nurses to provide recommendations for complex health care plans, facilitate communication with community physicians, consult on complex IEP and 504 services, train our paraprofessionals on administering OTC medication, and collaborate with American Academy of Pediatrics in San Diego, to bring current best practices into SDUSD and educate local physicians on school-related issues.
The SDUSD Nursing staff works under a written philosophy of embracing Trauma Informed Care, Restorative Practices, and Mindfulness to achieve optimal health and well-being of our school community. Healthy kids make better students, and the Department of Nursing & Wellness is committed to the educational success of our all of our children.
