Medication Administration in the School Setting. Position Statement. Amended

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that school districts develop written medication administration policies and procedures that focus on safe and efficient medication administration at school by a registered professional school nurse (hereinafter referred to as school nurse). Policies should include prescription and non-prescription medications, and address alternative, emergency, research medication, controlled substances, and medication doses that exceed manufacturer's guidelines. These policies shall be consistent with federal and state laws, nursing practice standards and established safe practices in accordance with evidence based information. The "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Section 504," mandate schools receiving federal funding to provide "required related service," including medication administration (O'Dell, O'Hara, Kiel, & McCullough, 2007). [For the complete report, "Position Statements, Issue Briefs, Resolutions and Consensus Statements. Revised," see ED539227.]