Historically, the School District of Philadelphia assigned Certified School Nurses based on a ratio of 1 nurse to 750 students.*).
Over the past year, in an effort to save money, the School District of Philadelphia has eliminated 100 Certified School Nurse positions. This leaves the remaining 176 nurses to care for all of Philadelphia’s children, including medically fragile students. Students with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, seizure disorders, severe allergies and medication needs are now being managed by school staff without appropriate credentials. Nurses are traveling to schools with diabetic students on a daily basis to monitor blood sugar levels, dietary intake and insulin coverage. This is very unsafe and the children of Philadelphia deserve better. We are fighting for our students and demand that the on a ratio of 1 nurse to a maximum of 750 students be restored.
All stakeholders: parents, students, and teachers win when schools have adequate coverage with certified school nurses. Sick and injured children are cared for. Teachers can teach when a student gets sick. Parents don't get called to school unnecessarily, 911 system is not abused wasting taxpayer dollars. Hospital emergency departments are not unduly burdened.*This ratio followed the recommendation of National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses & Practitioners (PANSAP)