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School Nurses and COVID-19 Testing In Urban Communities: Effective Communication Efforts that Advocate and Educate

As Pfizer and Moderna Pharmaceuticals roll out the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine, urban community school nurses are tasked with informing staff, parents, and the community on the progression of the pandemic.  This has been a remarkable year for school nurses: a multi-faceted challenge on our practice, and our own personal mental health.  Although newly developed vaccines are highly anticipated to be instrumental in combating this pandemic, school nurses must continue to educate the public on preventative measures that reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Specific communication goals are necessary in informing the urban community about COVID-19 testing. As a school nurse in an urban community, it is important to consider and address underlying myths, reasons for hesitancy, and to instill trust. Doing so in an empathic manner is critical to avoid alienating those having valid concerns about being tested for COVID-19. The lack of testing sites, health literacy gaps, and access to care for those infected with COVID-19 plague underserved communities.  Providing adequate information about COVID-19 testing especially in urban communities, and taking steps to mitigate its impact, is vital for school nurses to address.  As healthcare professionals, it is important for school nurses to acknowledge that the primary objective of effective communication efforts is to encourage a positive necessary response that shifts public mindset to awareness and empowerment.

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