School Nurse
Lisa Morin-Plante, RN
Welcome to the Nursing Office Web Page. The High School Nursing Office is
currently located on the second floor across from the library. The Nursing office
is open from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM during regular school hours. Please feel free
to call or email me with questions or concerns. 781-595-7885 ext. 369
Contact me: lmorinplante@smhlynn.org
Definition of School Nursing
"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances
the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievement of students. To that
end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development;
promote health and safety; intervene with actual and/or potential health problems;
provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build
student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy and
learning."
Physical Exams and Immunizations: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
requires physical examinations and immunizations for school age children.
A complete physical examination must include a list of all immunizations
required by Massachusetts Department of Public Health. St. Mary's High School
requires
a yearly physical be done and on record in the nursing office. The law and
regulations provide for exclusion of students from school if immunizations are not
up to date, but permit exemptions for medical and religious reasons. Students
may be excluded from school, under law, if these important medical records are
not in place. In addition, students participating in school sponsored sports must
have an up-to-date physical exam on file at all times, that covers the applicable
season. Only one physical form is needed and should be turned into the nurse
yearly to have a current physical on file.
Emergency Medical Form: It is important that we have an emergency form on file
in the nursing office and it must be updated yearly. Please make sure the EMF
is filled out and sent back to nurse before the beginning of the school year.
Administration of Medications Policy: The school nurse is responsible
for the administration of all medications. For "over-the-counter" medications,
i.e., nonprescription medications, the school nurse shall follow protocols set
by the Board of Registration in Nursing. With parent/guardian permission the
school nurse can administer the following over-the-counter medications as
needed: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Antacid, Pseudoephedrine, and
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Parents/guardians should indicate their consent
on the back of the emergency form and on the medication permission form.
For daily or routine medications the medication permission form must be completed
and on file in the Health Office before any medication is administered. Whenever
possible, medication should be scheduled at times other than during school
hours. All medication must be delivered by the parent/guardian in the original
container and labeled with the student's name. No more than a thirty (30) school
day supply of the medication for a student shall be stored at the school.
Prescription medication must be in a pharmacy or manufacturerm labeled
container with full prescription instructions on the label. Self administration
of medication may be allowed under certain circumstances, but only after
consultation with the school nurse, i.e. Asthma Inhalers, Epinephrine Auto
Injectors, etc. For short-term medications, i.e., those requiring administration
for ten school days or fewer, the pharmacy-labeled container may be used in
lieu of a MD order.
Medication orders must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.
