Dealing with Bullying: A Guide for School Nurses

Bullying remains a pervasive issue affecting students’ mental, emotional, and physical health. As frontline healthcare professionals in educational settings, school nurses play a pivotal role in recognizing, addressing, and mitigating the impact of bullying. Dealing with Bullying: A Guide for School Nurses offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding bullying behaviors and effectively intervening to support students and foster safer school environments.

This course explores the forms, patterns, and psychological consequences of bullying, with emphasis on early identification and multi-tiered intervention strategies. It highlights trauma-informed care principles, communication with stakeholders, and legal and ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers in school settings. Practical case examples and decision-making frameworks help participants respond appropriately to incidents and support affected students.

Topics covered include:

• Types and Dynamics of Bullying: Physical, verbal, social/relational, and cyberbullying risk factors, warning signs, and group dynamics.
• Health Consequences of Bullying: Short- and long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects on victims and perpetrators.
• Assessment and Documentation: Strategies for evaluating suspected bullying cases, including interviewing techniques and maintaining accurate, legally sound records.
• Intervention Protocols: Evidence-based response plans including referral pathways, conflict resolution strategies, and crisis support.
• Collaboration with School Personnel: Building effective partnerships with teachers, counselors, administrators, and families to coordinate care and implement school-wide prevention programs.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Understanding state laws, school district policies, FERPA guidelines, and mandatory reporting obligations.
• Prevention and Advocacy: Implementing health promotion initiatives, peer education programs, and student empowerment strategies.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: Applying trauma-sensitive approaches when assessing and supporting both victims and aggressors.

Completion Requirements:

To receive full CE credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Complete all course modules and assigned readings.
• Pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
• Submit course evaluations for each module.

Course materials may include case scenarios, state-specific policy references, and downloadable clinical tools for use in practice.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: Faculty and planners report no relevant financial relationships.
• Commercial Support: This activity received no external commercial funding or sponsorship.
• Non-Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or companies.
• Off-Label Product Use: Any mention of off-label drug use is consistent with current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice.