To enhance the health of children in its communities, Northwell Health has launched its School Nurse Professional Development Program, which provides education and clinical skills practice for these health care professionals. The program helps school nurses stay up-to-date on changes in the rapidly evolving field of health care, empowering them to more effectively care for students in their charge.
“At Northwell, we’re committed to caring not just for the children at our hospitals and practices but for all the children and families in our area,” said Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN-BC, vice president of nursing education and professional development at Northwell Health. “One way of achieving that goal is through providing educational support to school nurses, who are vital in protecting the physical, emotional and mental health of children from kindergarten through high school.”
The new program meets a demonstrated need. Unlike a number of other states, New York does not require nurses to participate in continuing education to maintain their license; additionally, there are limited resources available to school nurses who are interested in ongoing clinical education and skills practice as well as professional development. Clinicians at Northwell’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park have regularly fielded calls from school nurses asking for guidance regarding new medical technology and practice guidelines.
