Supporting School Nurses
SCHOOL NURSES
Children with asthma, on average, miss 4 days more of a school year then those without Asthma. This also means that a caregiver must also take time off too.
So School Nurses are critical in the fight to reduce Asthma and COPD hospitalisation by 50% by 2029 and so Asthma New Zealand are here to support you in everyway we can.
Below are just some of the resources that you can utlise to help support your children with Asthma in school.
ASTHMA CONTROL TESTS (ACT)
Please encourage your students with asthma to complete an Asthma Control Test ( or ACT). This helps them to gain their own insights into their own Asthma and can help them know if they have their Asthma under control or not.
Please click here to download an example ACT test.
ASTHMA SYMPTOM DIARY
Asthma diaries are daily tracking tools that students can use to monitor their symptoms and allows them to see how their medicines are working.
WHAT DOES GOOD ASTHMA CONTROL LOOK LIKE?
With good asthma control students can lead a full and active school life. Whilst often it is simple to control Asthma, it is almost never easy - especially for children. The guide below helps to understand what can be done to control asthma:
- Taking a Preventer medication as prescribed by a G.P
- Ensure student is taking their preventer medication as prescribed twice daily or daily if on Breo.
- Use a Reliever (Blue) inhaler when necessary - if possible, with a spacer. If they are not taking a Preventer, please ask them to seek advice from their G.P about commencing one, especially if the student requires reliever medication more than twice a week.
- Check inhalers are not empty. When an inhaler is full it should feel heavy and when you shake it next to your ear it should sound like liquid moving. If getting empty, it should feel very light and when shaken to the ear, an inhaler makes a gritty/sandy like noise. Inhaler should be discarded and new inhaler started. Inhalers should not be used as they near empty, as there is more propellant than medication so this will mean less medication than prescribed. If in doubt throw it out once you have a replacement.
- Carry appropriate emergency medication with them.
- Check all medication is in date; fill repeat prescriptions if necessary or arrange new ones through the G.P. This can often be done without actually needing to see a G.P.
- Use metered dose inhalers with a spacer (contact Asthma NZ 0800 227 328 if they don’t have one.)
- If the students is unsure of device technique, please check with the G.P, pharmacist, or a nurse at Asthma NZ.
- Follow the student's Asthma Action Plan, if they do not have one, please refer the student to their GP for one. Regular check-ups are important.
- Make sure you know what to do in the event of an asthma emergency. For advice go to www.asthma.org.nz
- If any students require a new spacer/peak flow monitor, emergency magnet or asthma action plan brochure or any further advice, please contact Asthma NZ directly. Free call 0800 227 328. Extra information and informative posts can be found on our social media platforms – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You-Tube AT THE BOTTOM of this newsletter.
DO YOU HAVE A STUDENT TAKING ONLY SALBUTUMOL?
We recommend that they see their GP to obtain either a preventer or a combination medication.
LOOKING AFTER THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Staying healthy physically, mentally and emotionally are important ways to strengthen the immune function. Eating well, exercising, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep and if the student is struggling with any of these, please reach out for support and help.
WHERE TO FIND HELP
Student's should not be afraid to seek support. There are helpline services available right now that offer support, information and help for the student, their family, whānau and friends. For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, they can call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Mental Health Foundation has a full list of services available.
TOP WAYS TO LOOK AFTER MENTAL WELL-BEING
There are a number of things we can all do to boost our mental wellbeing and that of our loved ones.
STAY CONNECTED
This is important for overall wellbeing and helps to make a person feel safer, less stressed and less anxious. We can support each other through the recovery, by keeping the connections and close ties to others that we forged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACKNOWLEDGE FEELINGS
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, worried or scared. Giving ourselves time to notice and express what we are feeling. This could be by writing thoughts and feelings down in a journal, talking to others, doing something creative or practising meditation. Talk with people we trust about concerns and how we are feeling. Reach out to others.
STICK TO ROUTINES
Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, eat at regular times, shower, change clothes, see others regularly, either virtually or in person. Meditating and exercising can help us relax and have a positive impact on our thoughts. Try not to increase unhealthy habits like comfort eating, drinking, smoking or vaping.
CHECK IN ON OTHER PEOPLE
Reaching out to those who may be feeling stressed or concerned can benefit both you and the person receiving support.
LIMIT ONLINE TIME
Students may find it useful to limit their time online. Check media and social media at specific times once or twice a day.
CORRECT INHALER USE
It is imperative that families and students are aware of exactly what inhaler they are using and why? There is a big difference between relievers and preventers and it is crucial that families seek help from ASTHMA NZ around education but also for us to help re-assure you that you are following the prescribed inhaler use so that over-use does not also cause a bigger problem than what you are trying to resolve.
DOES THE STUDENT HAVE AN ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLAN?
Always a good thing to know as we believe in being prepared for worst outcomes but expecting the best.
Click here to find out what you need to know as a nurse, parent or student if someone is having an Asthma attack. What to do in an Asthma Emergency >
You can also print here a very good FIRST AID poster to hang in your school clinic.
REFER A STUDENT TO ASTHMA NZ
Asthma New Zealand nurse educators provide FREE education, training and support to individuals with asthma/COPD and their families, in order that they may achieve their desired goals. Click below and refer to us. GP'S, school nurse or even THE STUDENT can refer TO US FREE. Click here.
KNOW WHERE YOUR LOCAL ASTHMA SOCIETY IS
There should be help, advice and support in a town near you. Click Here
Click here to seek a nurse educators help HERE
SMOKING AND VAPING
We know that vaping is something many young people are doing. Naturally we advise against vaping as we would prefer that the only thing that goes into lungs is oxygen. However, if vaping is something that YOU ARE AWARE the student is doing, please advise them not to share vapes and avoid standing in the cloud that someone breathes out.
We really encourage those with asthma who do vape or smoke to make this the time to give up. We realise that this might not be easy and remain committed to them breathing easy for life. If further help is needed click here for further help >.