Date Approved

1-3-2018

Embargo Period

1-8-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Educational Leadership (Doctor of Education)

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Thompson, Carol C.

Committee Member 1

Santucci, Mary Ellen

Committee Member 2

Nowak, Marian

Keywords

communication, delegation, mode of delegation, monitor health care conditions, paraprofessionals, work overload

Subject(s)

School nursing; School management and organization

Disciplines

Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration | Nursing

Abstract

For the past decade, there have been many changes to school nursing with the implementation of unlicensed assistant personnel now known as paraprofessionals. This process has brought about several concerns such as mode of delegation, education, training, ability to monitor health-care needs, and organizational effects that trended downward without direction. This qualitative inquiry gave an interpretative meaning to the process of delegation in school nursing, the factors that hinder the delegation process as well as components that are needed to effectively delegate and utilize support staff (paraprofessionals) without detrimental effects to students. This study interviewed 20 participants.

Results of this study showed how each theme affects the other through mode of delegation, communication, administration, education, training, monitoring health conditions, role confusion, and work overload. In this study, the mode of delegation can be seen through emails, documents, IEPs, and 504 Plans; this is a new concept used in delegation with school nursing duties. In the past, delegation was typically discussed through verbal direction to the employee; however, in this study, the documents, emails, IEPS, and 504 Plans elicit a direction for staff members to perform. Also, the results showed that the contingency theory in relation to organizational issues limited shared governance through the professional learning communities (PLCs). The professional learning communities were implemented by governmental officials to increase learning outcomes in schools; however, shared governance about other issues such as health-care needs are not discussed within the PLC. A significant part of the study focuses on education of all staff members, which includes administrators, school nurses, teachers, and paraprofessionals, as a resource for resolution of current issues.

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