Maine school nurses practicing skills in caring for students with gastrostomy tubes using a manikin during the School Nurse Summer Institute.
On July 28-29, school nurses from across all 16 counties in Maine gathered for a two-day School Nurse Summer Institute at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley. This biennial event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and planned by the Coordinated School Health Team and volunteer school nurses who work in Maine schools. The theme of this year’s conference was Complex Care, Competent Leadership: School Nurses at the Heart of Student Health.
Day one of the event included skills sessions hosted in collaboration with Maine Health, as well as presentations by Trista Collins from the Office of MaineCare Services, and Dr. Patricia Endsley, National Association of School Nurses (NASN) President-Elect.
Day two included an exhibitor fair with over 30 organizations and six breakout session options. The breakout sessions included nursing leadership, student mental health, emergency planning, immunization clinics, puberty, and more.
Here is what a few participants had to say about the event:
“This was an excellent event! It was easy to tell that all of the attendees and presenters were engaged and enjoying themselves. Skills day was helpful, not only for those of us who don’t work with medically complex students frequently, but also for those of us who are hands-on and visual learners.”
“This was wonderful. The sessions were relevant and productive. Thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully choose these for us.”
By increasing our school nurses’ understanding of current research and evidence-based practices and expanding awareness of the resources available throughout the State of Maine, our Maine schools benefit immensely.
This event, which focused on continuing professional development in nursing, was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
To learn more about coordinated school health and to access resources and information for Maine school nurses, please visit the Maine DOE website.
Maine DOE Newsroom 