Nursing Delegation in the School Setting. Position Statement

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that, when necessary and permitted by law, the registered professional school nurse (hereinafter referred to as school nurse) can implement safe and effective delegation of nursing tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel, (UAP) at school. Delegation is an important practice component of the Care Coordination principle within NASN's "Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice" (NASN, 2016). Safe nursing delegation requires that the school nurse is knowledgeable about the profession's guidance on delegation, state nurse practice acts, (NPA), other applicable federal and state laws, and district policies (Resha, 2017; Mitts vs. Hillsboro Union High School, 1987). Proper delegation requires communication and collaboration between the school nurse, healthcare providers, school administrators, parents, teachers, and UAP. It is the position of NASN that a school nurse be present in school all day, every day to optimize student health, safety, and learning. However, current educational, health, safety, and economic conditions may necessitate the delegation of nursing tasks by the school nurse to unlicensed assistive personnel to protect every student's right to quality school health services. This document provides and background and rationale for NASN's position on this topic. [This document replaces the position statement, "Delegation, Nursing Delegation to Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in the School Setting" (adopted January 2014).]