89% of School Nurses Have No Backup. This Peds Travel Nurse Program Is Trying to Help
- Lackawanna County launched a Travel School Nurse Pilot Program to address growing school nurse staffing challenges across multiple districts.
- Regional data showed that 89% of school nurses lacked adequate substitute coverage, with some schools operating without any nurse present.
- The shared travel nurse model provides consistent, cost-effective coverage while ensuring students receive qualified pediatric care.
School districts in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania have launched a Travel School Nurse Pilot Program to address ongoing school nurse staffing challenges. The initiative deploys experienced pediatric nurses across multiple districts to ensure consistent student healthcare coverage when full-time school nurses are absent. Regional data showed that nearly 89% of school nurses lacked adequate substitute coverage, leaving some schools without any nurse present.
When Theresa Cesarini starts her day, there’s no telling which school she’ll be in tomorrow. As the first travel school nurse in the region, she moves between districts to fill critical gaps—one day at Dunmore High School, the next in Scranton, sometimes covering multiple buildings in a single week.
While the schedule may sound demanding, for schools struggling to provide consistent nurse coverage, her role is essential.
The Travel School Nurse Pilot Program
The program was launched by the Moses Taylor Foundation in partnership with the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (NEIU) to help districts manage growing staffing shortages.
According to the regional staffing report, when a school nurse was absent:
- 53% of the time, schools pulled staff from other buildings to provide coverage.
- Nearly 20% of schools reported having no nurse coverage at all.
In schools where students rely on daily medication administration, chronic condition monitoring, and mental health support, those gaps may raise safety concerns.
The Impact of “No Nurse Days”
School nursing today extends far beyond ice packs and scraped knees. School nurses manage asthma action plans, insulin pumps, seizure disorders, and mental health crises. They conduct state-mandated screenings and often serve as trusted adults for students navigating emotional challenges.
When no nurse is present, responsibilities may fall to staff without clinical training—or go unaddressed entirely.
The challenge has also affected school nurses themselves. Some report skipping sick days due to concerns about leaving their buildings uncovered. Erin Maughan, director of the Center for School Health Innovation & Quality, noted that some nurses experience moral distress knowing their absence could leave students without care.
Meet the Travel Nurse
Cesarini brings more than 20 years of pediatric experience to the role. Her responsibility is to step in wherever coverage is needed, from managing chronic conditions to conducting screenings and providing daily student care. “I truly love the pediatric population, so I’m grateful to be able to do this,” she said.
Her position is coordinated by Cary Laboranti, a certified school nurse at the NEIU Learning Campus. The model mirrors “float nurse” systems used in larger districts but adapts the concept for smaller and rural communities by pooling district resources.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
Some health services research suggests that agency or contract nurses can cost significantly more than full-time staff. School nursing–specific resources emphasize that effective school nursing requires specialized knowledge in pediatric chronic disease management, school law, education systems, and community resources, and that not all nurses coming from acute care or general agency pools have this background when they first arrive.
The pilot program aims to demonstrate that a shared travel nurse position is both more cost-effective and more consistent than relying on outside agencies. Data is currently being collected to evaluate outcomes and determine whether districts will continue funding the program long term.
A Model for Other Regions?
As staffing challenges continue nationwide, the Travel School Nurse Program offers a practical model for districts facing similar challenges.
By sharing resources and investing in qualified pediatric nurses, Lackawanna County schools are working to ensure students receive consistent healthcare support, even when their regular nurse is unavailable.
For Cesarini, the variety keeps her energized. “Every day is different, which I love,” she said.
In a role that now includes chronic disease management, mental health support, and mandated screenings, consistency in school nursing plays a critical role in student health and safety.
🤔Nurses, what do you think about this? Share your thoughts below.
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
