Learning Objective #1: Identify elements of a community outreach program for school nurses which addresses professional isolation, provides acknowledgment and promotes professional development

Learning Objective #2: Identify strategies to promote the role of the school nurse and to foster in students, interest in the nursing profession

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A presentation to school nurses was designed to raise awareness of their unique position to introduce nursing to their students. However, several serious issues were verbalized. There were feelings of frustration, lack of support and resources, and a sense of professional isolation among these school nurses. Certainly this was not a group of professionals eager to promote the profession, for they were struggling to deal with their own professional reality. Their needs took priority. Following a formal needs assessment done with the cooperation of over 100 school nurses an outreach project was developed and implemented. The Department of Nursing at a local College and its Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International joined forces to reach out and address the needs of this special group of professionals. Several strategies were developed to deal with specific concerns. Dinner meetings were held followed by professional presentations. Topics related to legal matters were presented by a nurse/lawyer involved in community health.Programs on "Conflict Resolution", "Recent Economic Issues in School Health" and "Options in Nursing Education" were all presented to meet their requests. Several strategies were also developed to foster a feeling of appreciation for this special group of professionals. Opportunities were provided for school nurses to present their area of specialty to underggaduate and graduate nursing students with positive results. The project is now in its third year and new issues for consideration continue to be suggested. Several of the school nurses are presently collaborating with faculty and members of the honor society in the development of age appropriate health programs.The school nurses have also become more enthusiastically involved in promoting the nursing profession with students, and have come to treasure their unique opportunity to serve as ambassadors for our profession. Similiar programs can be created in other communities utilizing this model.