High-Quality School Health Practice Starts Here

Find guidelines, trainings and other resources to support you in delivering effective school health services and advancing best practice across Vermont.

On this page: School Health Services Guidelines School Nurse Orientation Professional Development Leadership Trainings School Health Collaborations Contact

Vermont Guidelines of Practice: School Health Services

Overview: The Guidelines are intended to support effective development, implementation and continuous improvement of school health services. 

Who uses them: School nurses, administrators and other school health professionals.

How they support safe, effective and consistent school health services across Vermont: They offer evidence-informed practice, public health guidance, professional standards, and state and federal requirements, while supporting local decision-making and professional judgment. The Guidelines are not regulations and do not replace professional clinical judgment, district policies, or applicable laws and regulations.

The Guidelines are developed by the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Agency of Education. They are reviewed and updated periodically with input from school nurses, educators, healthcare professionals, and state partners. 

View Guidelines & Supporting Materials:
01. Introduction
02. Adult Health Services
03. Allergy Management - Life Threatening
03. Allergy Management: A) Act 68 of 2013
03. Allergy Management: B) Policy Statement on Epinephrine Auto-injectors
03. Allergy Management: C) Recognize the Common Anaphylaxis Symptoms
03. Allergy Management: D) Sample Allergy Checklists for Allergy Management
03. Allergy Management: E) Protocol for the Use of Stock Epinephrine Auto-injectors
03. Allergy Management: F) The Emergency Healthcare Plan for Individuals with Known Life-threatening Allergies
03. Allergy Management: G) Prevention, Protocols, Implementation, Training Resources
03. Allergy Management: H) The Standing Order Form and Instructions
03. Allergy Management: I) Storage, Handling and Disposal
04. Bloodborne Pathogens
05. Child Abuse and Neglect
06. Communicable Disease
07. Confidentiality
07. Confidentiality: A) Sample Confidentiality Agreement
07. Confidentiality: B) Sample Release of Information Form 
08. Family Engagement
09. Delegation
10. Documentation
11. Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use
11. Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use: A) Vermont Opioid Review
12. Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
13. Environmental Health
14. Evaluation of Health Services
14. Evaluation of Health Services: A) FAQ Supervision and Evaluation
15. First Aid
15. First Aid: A) Sample Incident Form
16. Health Appraisal of Students

16. Health Appraisal of Students: A) Annual Health Update Form Template
16. Health Appraisal of Students: B) New Enrollment Health Form
16. Health Appraisal of Students: C) Sample School Nurse Calendar of Suggested Activities
17. Health Education
18. Immunizations
19. Liability
20. Licensing
21. Medical/Dental Home
22. Medications
22. Medications: A) Out of State Field Trips: Medication and Procedures
22. Medications: B) Field Trip Emergency Information and Medical Form
22. Medications: C) Medication Administration Training in the School Setting Form
22. Medications: D) Medication Incident Report
22. Medications: E) Medication Procedure
22. Medications: F) Verbal Medical Order Form
22. Medications: G) Comprehensive Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention
22. Medications: H) Naloxone Advisory: Emergency Treatment for Opioid Overdose
22. Medications: I) Naloxone Memo: Options for Accessing Naloxone
22. Medications: J) Sample Training for Vermont School Nurses - Naloxone
22. Medications: K) Sample training of Naloxone Administration
22. Medications: L) Sample Core Competencies (MA Department of Health)
22. Medications: M) Sample Non-prescription and Prescription Forms
22. Medications: N) Medication Training Guide
23. Mental and Behavioral Health
24. Nutrition
25. School Health Services Practice
25. School Health Services Practice: A) School Health Practice and Prekindergarten Services
26. Screening
26. Screening: B) Sample Templates Screening
27. Students with Special Health Needs
27. Students with Special Health Needs: A) Template - Sample ADHD Individual Healthcare Plan
27. Students with Special Health Needs: B) Template - Worksheet DNAR
27. Students with Special Health Needs: C) Template - Emergency Action Plan
27. Students with Special Health Needs: D) Health Accommodations Template
28. Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child
29. Vermont and Federal Laws Pertaining to School Health Services

School Nurse Orientation

The Vermont Department of Health is committed to supporting a strong, prepared school nursing workforce. The School Nurse Orientation provides foundational knowledge for nurses entering school nursing in Vermont and serves as a required component of initial licensure as a School Nurse of Associate School Nurse through the Vermont Agency of Education. 

View steps to complete Vermont's School Nurse Orientation and access the course below:

View School Nurse Course

Professional Development

Professional development opportunities are available for school nurses through virtual sessions that offer timely updates, practical guidance, and continuing education relevant to school health services across Vermont. 

These offerings are provided by the Vermont Department of Health and in partnership with organizations such as the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program and the University of Vermont’s Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers Program. 

On-Demand Information Sessions, By Topic

Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
School Nursing Practice
School Health Programs & Partnerships
Sexual Health & Adolescent Development
Student Safety & Well-Being

School Nurse Leadership Trainings

In partnership with the Northeastern University School Health Academy, six webinars about school nurse leadership fundamentals are available online to all Vermont school nurses. 

Module 1: Introduction to School Nursing Leadership

After viewing the presentation, the participant will be able to:   

  • Recognize how Nursing Theory impacts school nursing practice
  • Identify Nursing theorists that are crucial to how school nursing practice operates
  • Recognize the Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice
  • Describe the Leadership Standards from School Nursing Scope and Standards   

Handouts 

Module 2: NASN's 21st Century Framework for School Nursing Practice

After viewing the presentation, the participant will be able to:   

  • Recognize the NASN 21st Century Framework for School Nursing Practice
  • Identify the 5 standards of the Framework
  • Examine the individual standards as they relate to school nursing practice
  • Apply the principles to everyday school nursing practice

Handouts

Module 3: Introduction to Data and Data Utilization (Part 1)

After viewing the presentation, the participant will be able to:   

  • Identify sources of school health data
  • Recognize the vital importance and use of school health data
  • Demonstrate each school nurse's responsibility to collect/disseminate data   

Handouts

Module 4: Process and Protocols for Delegation and Medication Administration (Parts 1 and 2)

After viewing the presentation, the learner will be able to:   

  • Recognize the Vermont Nurse Practice Act (NPA)
  • Apply the principles of the NPA to school nursing practice
  • Describe the protocols for medication administration
  • Identify the process for delegation

Handouts

Part 1:

Part 2:

Module 5: Evaluation of School Nursing Practice

After viewing the presentation, the participant will be able to:   

  • Identify the need for a school nurse job description
  • Examine the need for Goal development
  • Recognize the importance of self-assessment   

Handouts

Module 6: Every Student Counts for Vermont School Nurses

A review of data and NASN's Every Student Counts data set with Kimberly Stanislo, the Research, Education, and Practice Director at NASN.  

School Health Collaborations

School health is strengthened through collaboration among professional organizations, state agencies, schools, and community partners. 

Learn more about organizations that support school nursing practice, professional development, certification, and school health leadership in Vermont. 

Agency of Education (AoE)

Agency of Education is responsible for regulations and administration in areas such as education quality standards, school nurse licensing, and school health services.

AHEC Project ECHO

AHEC Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) connects local health care providers with multidisciplinary specialists through free virtual clinics. Using videoconferencing and a case-based learning model, it allows nurses and other professionals to learn best practices and safely treat complex conditions in their own communities.

National Association of School Nurses (NASN)

NASN provides tools, resources, and continuing education opportunities for school nurses. Its School Nursing Practice Framework™ provides a guide to evidence-based school nursing practice that highlights the key activities school nurses use to support student health and learning.

National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN)

NBCSN promotes voluntary certification by examination for all school nurses. Certification represents a national standard of preparation, knowledge, and practice.

Vermont Board of Nursing (VBON)

VBON offers online licensing, renewals and updates to nursing licenses in Vermont, among other important services and information.

Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP)

VCHIP works to improve health outcomes for all Vermont’s children and their families by using collaborative measurement-based efforts to advance healthcare delivery and public health systems. Their focus areas include healthcare use, mental health, and access to preventive services for school-age and adolescent children in Vermont.

Vermont State School Nurses Association (VSSNA)

VSSNA is a professional nursing organization that helps school nurses stay current with evidence-based practice and sets the standards of school nursing practice.

Contact Us

Your Local Health Office is here for support and consultation. 

Find Your Local Health Office.

Our School Nurse Consultant is also available to help school nurses and local health offices with school health services and school nursing practice.

Please email: [email protected]