Individualized Healthcare Plans: A School Nurse Primer

According to the 2017 U.S. Census, 74.3 million children younger than 18 years of age live in the United States. Of this group, 14.6 million children and adolescents have special health care needs or a chronic illness. Students who attend school with complex health conditions, including mental and physical diagnoses, require comprehensive planning by a professional school nurse. School nurses should write an individualized healthcare plan (IHP) for these students. An IHP is written by the school nurse in collaboration with the parent/guardians, student, and health care providers. This plan serves as a tool to guide health care for a student throughout the school day and in mandated school-sponsored events.