"The National Association of School Nurses and most of our 51 affiliates
 are actively working at the federal and state level to improve the ratio
 of school nurses to students.  Currently, 19 states have a mandated
 number (the mandates vary widely), but only four states actually
 provide funding to match or exceed the mandates.
 
 The harsh reality is that there are wide discrepancies between states
 and within states. A child lucky enough to go to school in Vermont has 1
 school nurse: 298 students.  If the same child moves to Utah, the ratio
 is 1 SN: 5,539 students.  This is appalling!
 
 NASN has a position statement calling for:
 1 SN: 750 WELL students
 1 SN: 225 students with chronic conditions
 1 SN: 125 students with complex conditions
 1 SN: 1 student as needed
 
 NASN currently has a bill before Congress (HR6201) to provide funding
 for appropriate and safe ratios.  The bill will be re-introduced with a
 new number during the next session of Congress.
 
 We encourage all nurses to belong to their professional associations.
 And we encourage all associations and unions to work TOGETHER toward
 passage of federal and state legislation that provides for safe care of
 students."
 

Amy Garcia RN MSN
Executive Director
National Association of School Nurses
8484 Georgia Avenue #420
Silver Spring, MD  20910
240-821-1130
agarcia@nasn.org