School nurses and healthcare personnel are providing frontline care to individuals in the school community. Individuals working in these roles may be exposed to symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who may present with a suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.
It is essential that school nurses collaborate with school administrators to provide appropriate PPE and training for appropriate selection and use by the school nurse, healthcare personnel, and other school employees in accordance with OSHA PPE standards.
Key Considerations:
- Developing guidance for appropriate selection and use of PPE by school nurses, health personnel, and staff when providing care to students and staff (e.g. student or staff with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, aerosol generating procedures, nebulizer treatments).
- PPE required when school nurses, health personnel, and staff enter the room of a student or staff with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recommendations include adhering to standard precautions and using a NIOSH-approved N95 or equivalent or higher-level respirator (or facemask if a respirator is not available), gown, gloves, and eye protection.
- Developing training for school nurses and health personnel and demonstration of appropriate selection and use of PPE and how to properly place on and take off PPE.
Implementing guidance to support universal use of PPE for school healthcare staff specific to care being provided (e.g. surgical facemasks, eye protection, N95 masks).
- Rate of community transmission.
NASN Resources
Guidance for Healthcare Personnel on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Schools During COVID-19
Facemask Considerations for Healthcare Professionals in Schools
CDC Resources
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies
Three Key Factors Required for a Respirator to be Effective (print resource)
Filtering Out Confusion: Frequently Asked questions about Respiratory Protection (print resource)
Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
Strategies for Protecting K-12 School Staff from COVID-19: School nurses/health professionals
The Need for Fit Testing During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks (blog post)
Other Resources
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | FDA
N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks | FDA
Get Us PPE Request Form | Get Us PPE
Resources Shared by School Nurses
See what school nurses have developed or are sharing in NASN's online discussions.