MAHEC
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Care of the Medically Fragile Student

Course # 76585
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Care of the Medically Fragile Student

Location

MAHEC Simulation Center
Task Training Room A&B
119 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Dates & Times

Nov 20, 2025 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Contact

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This program provides school nurses and other school health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to support students with complex, chronic medical conditions.

Participants will learn best practices for assessment, daily management, and coordination of care for students who rely on specialized medical equipment or intensive nursing interventions during the school day.

The course emphasizes collaboration with families, healthcare providers, and school staff to create safe learning environments while ensuring each student's health needs are met. Case studies, real-world scenarios, and evidence-based guidelines will be integrated to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving in the school setting.

Agenda

8:00 - 8:30Registration and Check-in (Refreshments Provided)
8:15 - 8:30Course Introduction, Credits, and Agenda | PowerPoint Presentation
8:30 - 9:15ADA, Access, and Accommodations for Students | Thea Wilson, EdD and Wendy Hannah, EdD
9:15 - 9:25Break
9:25 - 9:30Introduction to Simulation and Pre-brief | Tonja Schroder, MSN, RN, CPN
9:35 - 10:05Intermittent Urinary Catheterization: Care for students with spina bifida, including safe intermittent catheterization | Kim Reece, BSN, RN
10:10 - 10:40Physical Assessment of the Non-verbal Student: Recognize signs of illness or distress in non-verbal students, collaborate with the classroom teacher to identify a baseline for the student, and document that baseline | (BCS Speech Pathology)
10:45 - 11:15Calming and Comforting Strategies for the Student with Agitation and Spasticity: Use calming strategies to make physical assessments easier for agitated students | (MAHEC Behavioral Therapist)
11:20 - 11:50Essentials of Tube Feeding in the School Setting: Safely provide tube feedings and respond to potential complications | Tonja Schroder, MSN, RN, CPN, and Rita Esterwood, MSN, RN, NCSN
11:50 - 12:00Debrief & Adjourn | Tonja Schroder, MSN, RN, CPN, and Rita Esterwood, MSN, RN, NCSN

Audience

School Nurses, School Health Personnel, Progressive Education Professionals

Objectives

At the completion of this program participants will be able to:

check Demonstrate correct procedures and infection control measures for intermittent catheterization in the school setting
check Implement calming and comfort strategies to reduce anxiety and facilitate accurate physical assessment of agitated or distressed students
check Assess the health status of students with communication barriers by recognizing behavioral, physiological, and environmental cues that may indicate discomfort, pain, or illness
check Demonstrate essential skills for safe tube feeding, including preparation, administration, monitoring for complications, and responding to emergencies

Fees

Cancellation Policy

Early Registration Fee

$75.00

Applies 8/20/25–11/13/25

Registration Fee

$90.00

Applies 11/14/25–11/20/25

Available Credits

Contact Hours 4.000

MAHEC designates this live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 4.00 Contact Hours.

Nursing Contact Hours 4.000

4.00 Nursing Contact Hours Activity # AP 008-2477

Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Speakers

Rita M. Esterwood, MSN, RN, NCSN
Wendy Hannah, EdD
Samantha Martin, BSN, RN, NCSN
Kim J. Reece, BSN,RN
Tonja G. Schroder, MSN, RN, CPN
Thea Wilson, EdD

Sessions

Care of the Medically Fragile Student

11/20 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Additional Resources

Cancellation Policy

MAHEC has a pay-up-front policy for all CE programs. The only exceptions will be for pre-approved programs where an individual payment plan is appropriate. Registrations received without accompanying payment will not be processed and participants who have not paid the course fee will not be admitted into the program.

Unless otherwise noted in course materials, the following cancellation policy applies to all programs:

  • Cancellations must be in writing (fax, email, or mail).
  • Cancellations received more than 2 weeks prior to the event will receive 100% refund.
  • Cancellations received between two weeks and two full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
  • No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than two full business days prior to the event.
  • No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
  • Transfers/substitute(s) are welcome (please notify us in advance of the program).
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