symptoms justified use of the medication , and many of the students for whom medication was requested did not have nonpharmacologic interventions in place to reduce and manage anxiety symptoms .
Understanding the challenge at hand , a task force formed with the vision to develop an Anxiety Action Plan . This tool could be used by nurses to educate health aides / delegates about anxiety symptoms and management , ensure student access to nonpharmacologic interventions and document indications for use of medications in anxiety .
This interprofessional task force was comprised of the following colleagues :
• Mandy Allison , MAEd , MD , MSPH , practices general pediatrics and teaches medical students and residents at the Children ’ s Colorado Child Health Clinic , which serves a generally low-income and culturally and linguistically diverse patient population . She works closely with school nurses as the Medical Director of the School Health Program .
• Sasha Jacobs , BSN , RN , NCSN , serves as a nurse in the School Health Program , oversees quality projects and contributes to healthcare worker resiliency as a Caritas coach and HeartMath trainer .
• Theresa Rapstine , MS , RN , brings 13 years of nursing experience in supporting youth in childcare and school settings , and is a subject matter expert and consultant for Healthy Childcare Colorado .
• Elizabeth “ Liz ” Selander , BSN , RN , is a highly experienced mental health professional and served as a psychiatric nurse at Children ’ s Colorado for several years before transitioning to the school health team . Her BA in psychology , plus her passion for both mental and school health , forges a lifelong commitment to seeing children reach their greatest potential .
• Stephanie De Jesus Ayala , MS , LPCC , is a Program Manager at Partners for Children ’ s Mental Health , leading the school ’ s training program and the Youth Engagement Program . She is passionate about increasing access to quality mental health care for marginalized youth and families .
Clinical Managers , licensed professional counselors , a psychologist with expertise in child development and clinical consultation , and a child and adolescent psychiatrist with expertise in school health and clinical consultation .
The Anxiety Action Plan was then pilot tested with School Health Program nurses . With an aim to measure impact , the committee developed a brief survey to assess program nurses ’ knowledge , use and experience with the plan . Following administration of the survey to 29 nurses in April 2023 , a facilitated discussion during a staff meeting sought to identify knowledge gaps regarding managing anxiety in the school setting , potential changes to improve the Anxiety Action Plan , and next steps . Learnings from that discussion , as well as a broader introduction to this application of resources , were presented by the interprofessional team at the Colorado Association of School Nurses Conference in November 2023 .
The Anxiety Action Plan is best accomplished in proactive partnership with the student ’ s family . It has influenced school health nurse practice statewide and , in the future , can impact school practice across the nation .
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The Anxiety Action Plan was modeled after similar plans that school nurses and health aides / delegates are familiar with , including the allergy and asthma action plans that are used throughout Colorado , a headache action plan and a seizure action plan . Once the Anxiety Action Plan was drafted , additional experts were invited to review , including the School Health Program Clinical Manager and Associate
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