Tracy Perron

LGBTQ Youth Part 1: Cultural Competence for School Nurses Caring for LGBTQ Youth—Learning the Culture and the Language

In order to provide holistic care, school nurses must be culturally competent by being sensitive to health disparities experienced by students in at-risk populations. Despite the growing acceptance toward gender and sexual minorities, LGBTQ youth remain an at-risk population in our communities and our schools. School nurses as well as school counselors, social workers, and psychologists can increase their cultural competence in caring for this group of students by increasing their understanding of appropriate terminology and risks associated with this vulnerable group. This article is Part 1 of a two-article series designed to increase school nurses’ abilities to advocate and care for LGBTQ youth in school settings. This first article provides information regarding proper terminology and current percentages of youth who identify as LGBTQ and concludes with implications for school nurses, including resources for nurses, school staff, and families.

LGBTQ Part 2: Examining the Health Disparities and Psychological Struggles Experienced by LGBTQ Youth

In addition to dealing with the normal challenges of being a teenager, many times LGBTQ youth have to deal with harassment, intimidation, and bullying on a daily basis as they disproportionately experience verbal and physical harassment while in school as a result of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This violence adversely affects these students’ health and well-being as reflected in the depression and suicide rate among LGBTQ youth. As Part 2 of a series in articles on caring for LGBTQ youth in a school setting, this article reviews specific health risks in this group of students. School nurses can help reduce disparities in health for LGBTQ youth by understanding risk for psychological consequences of bullying and advocating for a just and responsive social school culture. Implications for school nurses include educating school staff and families as well as providing prompt and appropriate referrals for necessary psychological care.

Rashes in School: Can They Stay, or Should They Go?

School-aged children frequently present to the school nurse office due to a rash. School nurses need to be familiar with common childhood rashes and evidence-based treatment recommendations. Most importantly, school nurses must possess knowledge of whether rashes are contagious and whether the child should remain in school or at home until resolution of the rash. It is essential that school nurses are aware of interventions to reduce the risk of spreading a contagious skin infection throughout their school.