Pediatric and School Nurse Professional Development
About this Event
This pediatric-focused professional development series equips school nurses with essential skills to identify and respond to high-priority pediatric health concerns, including ear and dental problems, childhood and adolescent obesity, gastrointestinal complaints, allergies and anaphylaxis, and diabetes. Sessions emphasize early recognition, safe school-based interventions, and effective communication with caregivers.
Current national data highlight the urgency of these topics: 1 in 5 U.S. children has obesity (CDC, 2024), food allergies affect approximately 1 in 13 children, and Type 1 diabetes incidence has increased by more than 30% over the past two decades, with Type 2 diabetes rising sharply among adolescents. Ear infections account for nearly 30 million pediatric visits annually, and dental caries remain the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting over 50% of school-age children. These trends underscore the critical roles of school and pediatric nurses in assessment, early detection, and timely referral.
Speakers:
Lauren Flettrich, DNP, CPNP-PC, practices pediatric endocrinology at Ochsner Health, providing specialized care to children with endocrine and metabolic conditions. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice and advanced training in Pediatric Primary Care at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans in 2024.
Patrick Hagen, MD, is a recently retired head and neck surgery otolaryngologist from Thibodaux, Louisiana, with more than 35 years of clinical experience. He is highly regarded for his expertise in upper respiratory conditions and long-standing commitment to patient care. Dr. Hagen earned his medical degree from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine in 1988.
Christy Marcello Chambers, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist and orthodontist, and the first and only female dental specialist in Louisiana dual-trained in both fields. She is also the only dentist in the state board-certified in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, reflecting her exceptional expertise and commitment to specialized care for children and adolescents.
Brooke Schoonenberg, RD, is a registered dietitian with 13 years of experience in nutrition counseling and program development. She received a B.S. in Dietetics in 2009 and an M.S. in nutrition in 2011 from LSU A&M. After a decade of clinical practice, she transitioned into a project management role with Greaux Healthy, a public service initiative focused on preventing and treating childhood obesity in the state.
Amber Sevin, FNP-C, earned both her undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees from Nicholls State University. Amber's pediatric mentoring with pediatrician Dr. Pitre deepened her expertise in children's health and has led her to deliver knowledgeable, compassionate care to mothers, infants, and families as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and certified lactation consultant.
Activity Learning Outcomes:
● Identify signs and assessment findings of common pediatric ear conditions and determine when referral for a formal hearing test is indicated.
● Recognize observable indicators of dental caries, abscesses, and trauma and initiate appropriate school-based referral steps.
● Describe obesity prevalence and risk factors and apply supportive, stigma-free strategies that promote healthy behaviors in school settings.
● Differentiate common GI complaints from red-flag symptoms and guide caregivers toward timely medical evaluation.
● Recognize early signs of allergic reactions and implement appropriate school-based monitoring and response.
● Identify early signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia and support safe diabetes management by assisting with individualized school health plans, including basic oversight of CGM alerts, insulin delivery devices, and other diabetes equipment.
The target audience is registered nurses, with a focus on pediatric nurses and school nurses.
Location: Nicholls State University, Betsy C. Ayo Hall - Nirmala Yalamanchili Donepudi Auditorium
Networking …………………………………………………………….......…….8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Presentation time…………………………………………………………….8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Credit............................................................................................... 5 contact hours
Fee..................................................................................................... $75.00
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 28.52 to USD 81.88
