The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is considering an amendment to Section 136.10 that would include nurses in the list of personnel responsible for routine toileting and diapering. Currently this protocol recognizes that toileting is not a nursing function. This proposed change is alarming considering the significant responsibility already placed on school nurses, who are often the sole medical professionals for several hundred or even thousands of students. Shifting their focus to non-medical duties undermines their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to actual medical emergencies.

Having worked in school environments where the current regulations are disregarded, I have witnessed the direct consequences of making school nurses the designated staff to manage toileting. It places students at risk. I've seen how a school's only medical professional can be preoccupied with non-medical tasks and be stuck in the bathroom assisting with toileting while potentially serious medical emergencies are left unattended and a line grows at the health office door. Many school nurses are happy to assist with toileting when available but cannot realistically be the point person for non-medical issues while maintaining student safety. Anyone can call the parent for a change of clothes if unavailable or assist a student in the bathroom, but only a nurse can assess a student with a head injury or administer medications to a student experiencing a diabetic crisis, anaphylaxis, seizure, or asthma attack among other medical conditions school nurses manage daily. Imagine the precious seconds lost during a medical crisis because the nurse is engaged in routine hygiene duties. These moments could be the difference between life and death. This misuse of the skilled nursing role is a dangerous compromise of student safety.

We need to maintain the current protocol language of NYSED Section 136.10, which explicitly states that toileting is not a nursing function. This is not merely a matter of job description but one of safety for every student in New York. In emergency situations, it is crucial for nurses to be unencumbered by non-medical responsibilities, allowing them to dedicate their attention to real medical needs.

Studies indicate that school nurses play a vital role in bridging health care and education, advocating for healthy school environments, and continuously safeguarding students' health. This proposal threatens the integrity of their role and undermines their core capability to provide essential medical care.

Join the fight to preserve student safety and uphold the efficacy of our school nurses by signing this petition. Let's urge NYSED to reconsider and ensure that the role of the school nurse remains focused on their critical medical responsibilities, free from non-essential constraints. Your support is crucial in maintaining a safe and effective educational environment for our children. Sign this petition to protect the health and safety of New York's students.