Page 99 - MMP-N-NJ CCN 21st Century School Nurse Leadership Book

This year I have a plan for my professional development plan to improve my
vision referral returns and follow up on those who may need assistance in lo-
cating vision providers and/or financial resources. I need your help to support
my proposed initiative as it includes utilizing an outside resource to help with
screening and parent support as helpers. This is a great way to get parents in-
volved in the school community. I am starting with grade 4 and grade 6 as that
age group falls within the average age of school students developing distance
vision problems. If it proves successful, I would like to ultimately use this plan
for all grade levels.

• Identify potential solution based upon scan of literature and relevant sources of information.

Contact CBVI: The CBVI’s Project BEST program services include: mobile eye examination unit;
vision screening for preschool and school-age children. Screenings for students can be arranged
through contacting the CBVI at (973) 648-7400 / Toll Free (877) 685-8878.

School Nurse Office: Check vision referral letter, update and revise as needed. See Neville, et
al. (2015) for sample letter to parents/guardians. Develop phone script for follow-up telephone
communication. Arrange for language translation assistance as needed for calls. Devise
organization method for tracking referrals and phone calls. Work with PTA/PTO, classroom
parents to arrange for parent escorts. Parents complete any necessary school paperwork
required for school volunteers. Identify resources for referrals. Have teachers provide input into
schedule to avoid conflicts.

2. Form a powerful guiding coalition.

• Who are my partners? Establish your team and get buy-in for the project. These are
individuals with shared commitment and power to lead. For this example, the individuals
would be school district administrators [superintendent, principals], other school colleagues
such as classroom teachers, student support services, school guidance counselor, PTA, eye
care professionals, local clubs and organizations.

3. Create a vision.

• Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic/Relevant and Time Bound Goals)
goals to develop performance and measurable objectives and outcomes. The who, what,
where, when, why. See Appendix B for SMART goals development template.
• Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, a four step model for carrying out change (https://
healthit.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-resources/workflow-
assessment-health-it-toolkit/all-workflow-tools/plan-do-check-act-cycle#h=plan-do-
check-act)
• Include as part of annual professional development goals, or Student Growth Objectives
(SGOs).

4. Communicate the vision.

• Use every avenue/vehicle possible to communicate: faculty staff emails, PTA meetings,
robocalls, flyers, student posters, school nurse district website, school newsletters.

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