MTSU School of Nursing Hosts Hands-On Training for Middle Tennessee School Nurses

Dozens of school nurses from across Middle Tennessee recently gathered at Middle Tennessee State University for a hands-on training event designed to strengthen the clinical skills needed to care for students with increasingly complex medical needs.

Hosted by faculty and staff from MTSU's School of Nursing, the School Nurse Skills Day took place at the Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education. The half-day program gave participants the opportunity to practice essential medical procedures using advanced simulation equipment rarely available in K-12 school settings.

“MTSU's central location, along with our faculty expertise, lab space and equipment, made hosting this School Nurse Skills Day training a natural fit,” said TaRessa Poole, clinical assistant professor of nursing and one of the event organizers. “It allowed us to serve the community while providing valuable education and gave us a great opportunity to work with our clinical partners.”

Throughout the training, nurses rotated through five interactive skills stations covering common school injuries, catheterization and ostomy care, medication administration, asthma response, diabetes management and tube feeding procedures. Participants also worked with high-fidelity pediatric simulation mannequins capable of breathing, wheezing and responding like real patients, allowing them to safely practice emergency scenarios.

School nurses today often care for students with tracheostomies, ventilators, feeding tubes, insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, making advanced clinical training increasingly important.

“I don't think the public realizes how medically fragile some students in our schools are,” said Shanna Groom, school nursing coordinator for Rutherford County Schools. “Everyone deserves access to public education, and we're happy to have these students in our schools. We just need to make sure we can care for them safely.”

Groom said access to MTSU's simulation labs filled an important gap in annual competency training.

“In schools, we don't have simulation mannequins,” Groom explained. “We practice tube feedings using an apple juice bottle with a Mickey button in the lid. We practice applying tourniquets on pool noodles. We're very resourceful, but it's not the same as using actual medical equipment.”

The event also gave nurses the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other school districts while refreshing their clinical skills and reviewing current evidence-based practices.

Amanda Johnson, school nurse consultant for the Tennessee Department of Education, praised the partnership between MTSU and local school districts.

“The partnership with MTSU's School of Nursing demonstrates what's possible when school districts and community organizations work together toward a shared goal,” Johnson said.

Participants earned continuing education credit, and the training was offered at no cost. Registration filled quickly, creating a waiting list, and organizers are already exploring ways to expand the program with additional skills stations and grant funding.

“The feedback from our nurses was overwhelmingly positive, and we'd love to see this continue,” Groom said.

Johnson agreed, calling the inaugural event a success.

“MTSU's School of Nursing created a meaningful learning opportunity for school nurses that will have a lasting impact on school nursing practice across Middle Tennessee,” she said. “I'm excited to see how this partnership continues to grow.”