[Roberta S. Rehm]. Thus, the need for nurses to upgrade their skills in handling assistive technical gadgets becomes more pronounced. The most frustrating and stressful situation for parents is when school authorities fail to show an active interest in the needs and care requirements of the technologically dependent children. Here again, school nurses, as health care deliverers in the school, can exhibit a proactive approach. Increased parent- nurse rapport is one way to reduce the parental concern for children with special needs. Clearly, nurses are central in delivering quality medicare for dependant children and in promoting it in the school setting. They have to play a coordinated role with parents and school administration to ensure that required level of care is delivered to the dependent children. [Roberta S. Rehm]
It needs to be highlighted here that schools nurses may not be always available as in many cases they are entrusted with the duty of overseeing the health care needs of several schools. Thus, teachers are often looked upon to learn health management skills that are necessary for assisting technology dependant children. Though teachers, in general, agree to provide extra care and monitor the medically fragile and technology dependant children, they are in most cases reluctant to intervene under emergencies for lack of knowledge of the procedures and for fear of the liabilities involved. However, surveys in this direction have shown that most teachers are willing to learn interventions that are specific to caring a particular child in the class, rather than willing to undergo general training programs. [Roberta S. Rehm] Thus, it rests upon the nurses to train teachers in the technical and simple medicare issues specific to a care dependant child. Nurses also train 'special education aides' in specific procedures. For example children...
So, clearly, nurses have a multifaceted role of trainers, counselors, liaison officers and most importantly, health care deliverers for medically fragile and technology dependant children both in the home as well as community settings.
Conclusion
The complexity of caregiving necessitates a new role for the nurse, as a liaison between the parents, school administration and the community. Nurses need to be highly sensitive, proactive and participative in responding to the health care needs of technology dependant children. Particularly, children with invasive procedures such as tracheotomy and gastrostomy may need immediate attention where knowledgeable nursing intervention is indispensable and potentially life saving. In the home care setting, nurses not only help the parents acquire new skills that are needed but also help them cope with the ensuing emotional strain, thereby greatly assisting in the transitioning process. There is no question of doubt as to the important role of the nurse in care giving and in providing respite services for parents managing children with chronic conditions requiring dependence on technological devices.
Bibliography
Barbara A Montagnino, Rizalina V Mauricio, "The Child with a Tracheostomy and Gastrostomy: Parental Stress and Coping in the Home -- A Pilot Study," Pediatric Nursing, Sept 2004 v30, p373
Roberta S. Rehm, "Creating a Context of Safety and Achievement at School for Children who are Medically Fragile / Technology dependant," Advances in Nursing Science, March 2002, v24, p71
3) Louis Dixon, "Tracheostomy: Easing The Transition From Hospital to Home," Accessed on 23rd Oct 2005, available at http://www.perspectivesinnursing.org/v1n3/dixon.html
