Abstract
School nurses are a source of support for teachers who have students with life-threatening conditions, and they provide support to school staff, families, and children. However, little is known regarding the questions they encounter and their desired sources of support, including interest in receiving support from hospice personnel. A national questionnaire was distributed with 303 school nurse respondents, of which 40.9% had students receiving hospice services. School nurses encountered several types of questions from children with life-threatening conditions, their classmates and families, and school staff. School nurses also had questions themselves, in such areas as gaining and disseminating information, promoting understanding of the child's condition and providing support, addressing symptoms in conjunction with school activities, and do-not-resuscitate orders in the school setting. Results indicated that school nurses would like more information about hospice and would like hospice personnel to provide information and support. Considerations for hospice staff are discussed.