School nursing

[Melisande]

Well, we had Donovan's IEP last week. I got them to write in the nursing (which wasn't there in the first place even though they know he has it.). They said they would pay for the hours he is at school, which is only 3 hours for ECSE. They want us to provide it and my agency to bill them. Does this sound correct? Just wanted to make sure!!!

[Nate's Mom]

That's what our school district did. I think some of the larger districts have their own nurses (Wichita schools are that way) but our district is small so they wrote a contract with the agency.

[Jacob's Mom]

Our school was going to do that. But, our nurse wanted to be self-contracted - more $$$ for her.

So, yes, it does sound right!


Amanda

[Karen S.]

I am glad that you were able to get them to include nursing in with Donovan’s IEP. When Hannah was in ECSE, the school paid for 4 hours of nursing. This started the minute she got on the bus. The agency took care of all billing. All I did was provide a name and number for the contact at the district. They took it from there.

A friend of mine is in a different school district and they hire their nurses outright. This saves the district tons of $$$. Our district considered going this route, but decided against it because they don’t have the staff to provide backup for the kids if a nurse would call in sick. Going through an agency makes the responsibility fall on someone else and not the district.

Karen

[hcs_mom]

I like the idea of the district going through the agency. I would rather have Hannah's day nurse attend school than have to worry about someone new. But our district has their own and they don't pay very well, so I doubt any of her nurses will do it. But, Karen, thanks for mentioning the back up, that will be a key question I have. Hannah can still get sick quickly, and I would fear that a "replacement" nurse would never catch it that quickly. I just don't think this is something I should have to worry about...sigh...

Thanks for bringing this up. Our attempt at an IEP meeting is in early June. Boxing gloves are out and ready.

Jennie

[cariaad]

Im so sad you guys have such a hard time with the IEP meetings. Ours go pretty easily. This one we just had increased Alli's ST to 3 per week next year. Our stipulation is that there be a trained nurse on the premises and an emergency plan posted in every room Alli goes to. There are a couple of other trached kids at her school and they have a nurse that comes to school with them and is assigned to them. We didnt want that (it was offered) because Alli rarely needs suctioned (she will ask for the nurse) and I cant see having a nurse hanging around making Alli feel "different". She is used to her assistant but not a nurse all day. i think the resources of the school can be better spent geting her large print material and other classroom aids. But Alli isnt critical if the ttrach comes out, so I know that makes tons of difference. DEb