ERIC Number: EJ1482096
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Oct
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Available Date: 2025-07-13
Equipping School Nurses to Address Firearm Safety: A Pilot Curriculum Study
Ikemsinachi C. Nzenwa1,2; Amy J. Kaplan2,3; Gretchen F. Felopulos4; Stephany Zhivotovsky2,3; Robin Cogan5; Rebecca Robbins6; Sunny G. Hallowell7; Chana A. Sacks2,3; Peter T. Masiakos2,8; Cornelia L. Griggs2,8
Journal of School Health, v95 n10 p810-819 2025
Background: Firearm violence is the leading cause of death among US children and adolescents, and school nurses are increasingly recognized as key partners in prevention efforts. While school nurses are uniquely positioned to counsel on firearm safety, existing training curricula often lack content tailored to their specific roles and settings. Methods: We adapted a hospital-based curriculum for school nurses, comprising a didactic session on firearm violence, secure storage, and counseling frameworks, followed by standardized patient simulations. The pilot was conducted at a single academic medical center, and qualitative survey data were collected. The program's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy were assessed using a pretest--posttest design. Results: Thirty school nurses participated, with 43.3% having prior firearm safety training and 10.0% trained to counsel on firearm safety. Post-training, confidence in counseling increased, particularly in discussing Extreme Risk Protection Orders and asking about the 5 Ls (locked, loaded, little children, low mood, and learned household members). Perceptions of the importance of screening and counseling also improved, while concerns about interference with student encounters decreased. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: By equipping school nurses with trauma-informed, proactive violence prevention tools, this curriculum expands their role as trusted, frontline leaders in creating safe, supportive environments. When embedded within holistic frameworks, school nurse-led efforts can help ensure all students thrive. Conclusion: This pilot training enhanced school nurses' confidence and perceptions of firearm safety counseling, setting the stage for efforts to expand its reach to additional locations and participants.
Descriptors: School Nurses, Gun Control, Nursing Education, Curriculum Development, Training, Weapons, Safety, Child Safety, Trauma Informed Approach, Violence, Prevention
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; 2Gun Violence Prevention Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA; 3Division of General Internal Medicine and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; 4Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; 5School of Nursing, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA; 6Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; 7M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, USA; 8Division of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

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