Dealing with Bullying: A Guide for School Nurses

This CE course provides school nurses with a structured, evidence-informed framework for identifying, addressing, and preventing bullying in educational settings. As front-line healthcare professionals within schools, nurses play a critical role in recognizing both the physical and psychological impacts of bullying on children and adolescents.

Course content explores the multifaceted nature of bullying, including physical, verbal, social, and cyber forms and equips participants with practical strategies for early intervention, trauma-informed support, and referral to mental health services. Emphasis is placed on building trust with students, understanding risk and protective factors, and collaborating with educators, parents, and administrators to foster a safe school climate.

Psychosocial considerations, such as anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and suicidal ideation, are integrated throughout the course. Nurses will also gain insight into cultural sensitivity, legal obligations, documentation standards, and current policies influencing school-based responses to bullying.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the various forms of bullying and describe their short- and long-term health consequences.
• Identify behavioral and physical signs that may indicate a student is involved in bullying as a victim, perpetrator, or bystander.
• Implement nursing interventions rooted in trauma-informed care and student-centered communication.
• Apply appropriate documentation techniques and understand FERPA regulations as they relate to bullying cases.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to support students affected by bullying.
• Promote inclusive, preventive practices that align with school district policies and national anti-bullying initiatives.

Course Completion Requirements:

To complete this CE course and receive full credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Review all course materials.
• Complete the post-test with a passing score of 70% or higher.
• Submit a completed course evaluation.

Note: Some courses may include additional assignments or clinical case reviews

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: The course planners, authors, and presenters have no financial or commercial conflicts of interest related to this educational activity.
• Commercial Support: This course has not received sponsorship or financial support from commercial entities.
• Non-Endorsement: Approval of this course as a continuing education activity does not imply endorsement of any products, services, or companies mentioned within the content.
• Off-Label Product Use: Any discussion of off-label medication use is clearly identified and supported by available evidence.