School Nursing and Health Services
The ADE School Nursing and Health Services page is designed to optimize student health and learning by advancing the practice of School Nursing in Arizona. The following resources, tools, and events are available to support you in your practice.
Welcome to School Nursing in Arizona
Our goal is to provide a supportive foundation that will lead School Nurses and Health Office support staff toward a long, healthy career in the Grand Canyon State.
Stay Connected:
- Sign up for our School Nurse Listserv email list to stay informed about important information, including training and professional development opportunities, through the health services resource guides.
- Visit the School Health Office Resource Page page for resources on nursing procedures, emergency guidelines, and common health issues.
- Join monthly School Nurse Huddles for ADE updates, partner agency highlights, training opportunities, and time to connect with school nurses and health office staff across the state.
- Bookmark this webpage for a quick and easy reference.
- Smile, and Contact Us with any questions!
News and Announcements
All Arizona school nurses now have FREE access to The National Association of School Nurses' (NASN) Nursing Practice Framework Series. Course modules include Standards of Practice, Care Coordination, Quality Improvement, Leadership, and Community/Public Health. To access, please follow the directions below:
Where to find the content:
- Direct link: https://learn.nasn.org/product_bundles/10808#
- Arizona nurses should use this link as the main entry point for all five modules. After enrolling (see next steps), nurses will return to this link. After completing a module, nurses will return to this link to get access to other modules.
How to enroll in the content:
- There is a PURCHASE button on the web page at the direct link above. SNOA members will click it and complete the shopping cart steps, even though this is no cost.
- Once the shopping cart steps are complete, the content will be unlocked.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
In 2014, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) reversed its "free care" policy. This policy allowed states more flexibility to offer school-based health services by allowing school districts to bill for care delivered to any Medicaid-enrolled child—not just children with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Effective October 1, 2021, Arizona’s Medicaid agency (AHCCCS) began offering an expansion of its school-based claiming program, which it calls Open Care.
Open Care brings critical benefits to Arizona’s schools because healthy kids are better learners. Schools currently provide health services to most students without reimbursement. However, funding challenges mean many schools don’t have the qualified health personnel they need to provide these services. Open Care can expand schools’ access to Medicaid funding, which can permanently and sustainably increase the number of school-based personnel in places where children need them most. Children’s health and education truly go hand in hand (Children’s Action Alliance, 2022).
ADE with its ASAP partners and Children’s Action Alliance are working to assist schools to successfully participate in Open Care. We are interested in learning more about your experience with Open Care and what questions, concerns, barriers, or issues you have or have had in implementing Open Care. Visit the AHCCCS page for more information regarding participating in Open Care.
On May 8th, 2024, we celebrated National School Nurse Day! During this time, a webinar was hosted to bring together school nurses from across the state. SNOA’s President, Lisa Alexander, read the School Nurse Day Proclamation, and Kate King, the President of the National Association for School Nurses (NASN), spoke with Arizona school nurses. We also shared the School Nurse Poster Contest with attendees, in which posters were submitted on “Why I Love My School Nurse.” The top three winners of the poster contest were decided by Kate King, and ADE honored them by visiting their school with a special prize. Lastly, we had several raffles in which attendees were able to win! View the recording and slides below to see how we celebrated the commitment school nurses make every day.
School Health Resources
School Nursing and Health Services has a dedicated page for resources that support the Health Office. This page is updated frequently, so please ensure that you are keeping up to date with relevant support. In addition, view the updated school nurse padlet below for direct links to additional resources, toolkits, support, and on-demand learning!
Link to School Health Office Resource Page
Arizona School Nurse Networks
ADE facilitates fun and engaging networking opportunities designed to provide new and experienced school nurses with a chance to share experiences, learn from others, and stay informed about developments in school health services.
Join us to connect and chat with school nurses and health office staff from across the state to share ideas, address challenges, gather updates, and receive support. Huddles are hosted every month by an RN Health Consultant and School Health & Wellness Specialist with ADE. Meetings have a relaxed structure where participants are encouraged to come and go as they, please.
"A good plan starts in the huddle!"
Date: Third Wednesday of every month
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m. (MST)
Registration: HUDDLE Registration
Have a topic you would like to be addressed in an upcoming HUDDLE? Email Us!
Sign up for our School Nurse Listserv below to stay updated on the most recent school health office staff activities, including professional development offerings, school nurse committee meetings, the release of new resource guides, and other important updates for school health office staff. All information can be located here.
The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Leadership Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses serving in leadership roles within school districts to meet, share ideas and questions, and work collaboratively on school nursing practice to enhance school nursing in Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled meetings and support activities the committee elects to address through acceptance of assignments to further the goals of the committee.
The Arizona Department of Education, School Safety & Social Wellness Unit, will support the efforts of the School Nurse Leadership Committee by hosting the committee meetings, assisting with data and information gathering as needed, and providing staff support to facilitate note-taking and other administrative activities required by the committee. Partners, including other state agencies and Arizona nursing organizations, will be recruited to support the committee activities as needed to ensure successful committee outcomes.
The committee members will select a chair to guide the committee, and this position will be selected at least annually, providing an opportunity for committee members to serve as chair if interested. School nurse leaders can join the committee at any time to assist with the work of the committee, and the members will set the frequency and time of meetings.
We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee. Sign up HERE!
The purpose of the Arizona School Nurse Professional Development Committee is to establish a regular opportunity for school nurses to meet, discuss, and help plan professional development events such as webinars, conferences, and other activities to support the education needs of school nurses and health staff in school health offices throughout Arizona. It is expected that members of the committee will assist with selecting topics of interest for scheduled events and suggest and/or help secure speakers for topics identified.
The Arizona Department of Education, School Safety & Social Wellness Unit, will support the efforts of the School Nurse Professional Development Committee by hosting the committee meetings, assisting with data needed to plan events, and providing staff support to facilitate planning, promoting, and organizing professional opportunities. Partners, including other state agencies and Arizona nursing organizations, will be recruited to support the committee activities as needed to ensure successful professional development outcomes.
The committee will select a chair to guide the committee from members of the committee members. School nurses can join the committee at any time to assist with the work of the committee, and the members will set the frequency and time of meetings.
We are currently recruiting those interested in joining this committee. Sign up HERE!
A Seizure Action Plan (SAP) contains the essential information schools need to help a student who has seizures. The lack of a standard SAP has led to a variety of different plans in practice across Arizona. This puts undue stress on school and health care providers when it comes time to collect and interpret plans into an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
Phoenix Children's Hospital has partnered with ADE and the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona to develop a simplified SAP that can be adopted statewide. The SAP Committee is currently seeking the help of school nurses to push this effort forward!
Interested in joining the SAP Committee? Sign up HERE!
Professional Development Opportunities
Training and professional development events provide up-to-date information on the latest health guidelines and best practices for managing student health. Participants are encouraged to attend events for the opportunity to engage in conversation and provide an audience for our presenters. Please view the upcoming training, conferences, and/ or professional development events offered across the state of Arizona.
On-Demand Recordings
Virtual training and professional development opportunities will be recorded and made available on demand following the event. View our recently recorded webinars below.
The mission of ADE’s Arizona Homeless Education Program is to ensure positive comparable academic outcomes for children and youth experiencing homelessness through the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Rita Rodriguez, State Homeless Education Program Coordinator, presented The Raise Your Hand Lift Their Future! The Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth. This presentation highlights how School Nurses and McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons can team together to serve students experiencing homelessness in Arizona.
The American Lung Association hosted a webinar on January 29th, 2025, to learn and discuss air quality and lung health. This webinar focused on understanding poor air quality, how it can impact lung health, especially students’ lung health, and ways to stay protected on days when air quality is poor.
Objectives of the webinar:
- Understand what causes air pollution and why it’s harmful to children
- Learn about what can be done to protect students’ lungs on poor air quality days
- Gain resources to use at school Access Webinar Recording Here!
The Arizona School Nurse Access Program at the Arizona Department of Education hosted a discussion on Emergency Operations Plans (EOP). Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 15-341(A)(31) requires that each school site have an emergency operations plan that meets the minimum state requirements. In addition, modifications to ARS 15-341 (A) (31) will go into law on October 31st, 2023, and states emergency response plans must address how the school and emergency responders will communicate with and provide assistance to students with disabilities. This webinar informed attendees of the minimum requirements that go into basic and inclusive planning and highlighted the school nurse's role in responding.
School nursing is a unique specialty in the nursing profession, one that is often quite foreign to nurses when they enter this field of practice with only acute care experience. This webinar provided experienced school nurses with a refresher about the scope of practice and standards of nursing practice as they relate to our state nursing practice laws and introduced new nurses to this important school nursing practice information. 
Presentation Outcomes:
- List at least two unique differences between a nurse's scope of practice and standards of practice
- Discuss the state scope of practice for nurses and two ways they apply to the school nurse.
- State two components of the school nurse’s standard of practice and their application.
- Understand the role of nurse delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) staff while maintaining the delivery of safe student care in the school setting.
- Recognize the five Delegation Principles as the right task, the right circumstance, the right person, the right direction and communication, and the right supervision and evaluation.
- List the best practice steps for nurses to use to ensure UAPs are prepared and able to complete delegated activities in the school setting.
Access the Slides HereAccess the Recording Here
Passcode: d7!#YAw*
The Arizona Department of Education hosted a webinar: Implementing SB 1654: How Schools Can Successfully Meet the Law's Requirements and Establish Seizure Action Plans at Their School. During this session, participants received information about the law and details for complying with the law. In addition, participants were informed about training requirements and participated in a Q&A. The recording and slides are now available.
Passcode: TbhB!q3x
Resources
Arizona Legislation: Introduction of SB1654: Schools;Seizure management;Tretment Plans Resources
15-160.02 Law: Seizure Management and Treatment Plans
Arizona State Board of Education: Approved Training and Related Training Requirements
AZSBE Website and Submission of Personalized Training
Training Review Guidelines for School Nurses
Training Review Guidelines: Other School Personnel
Additional Training and Resources
Board-Approved Epilepsy Foundation Seizure Safe Schools Courses
New Seizure Action Plans (SAP)
At the April School Nurse Huddle, Morgan Scadden, Sensory Screening Program Manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), presented on the Sensory Screening Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services and the changes being made to the ADHS Sensory Screener Training. The recording and slides are now available.
Resources:
Administrative Rules: Vision Screening https://www.azdhs.gov/director/administrative-counsel-rules/rules/index.php#rulemakings-active-vision-screening
ADHS Sensory Screening Program https://www.azdhs.gov/prevention/womens-childrens-health/cyshcn/index.php#hearing-screening
Passcode: pHWJ2gy^
School Health Office Padlet
Contact Us
How can we improve School Nursing and Health Services in Arizona? Email Us today!
