Seizures
School Nursing
Seizures
Seizures can occur in students who have known seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, or as a first-time event. While most seizures are brief and resolve on their own, some may require emergency intervention. School staff play a critical role in recognizing seizures, ensuring student safety, and responding appropriately.
This section provides information on required forms, educational resources, approved seizure awareness training sites, seizure rescue medication training materials, and relevant laws to support students with seizures in the school setting.
Each plan plays a specific role in managing a student’s seizure care at school which helps everyone involved understand how to provide daily and emergency support.
Seizure action plan (SAP)
- What it’s for: Lists daily and emergency seizure care instructions, including input from parents and the school nurse. This form can also function as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
- Who writes it: The parent/guardian and the school nurse work together to develop this plan.
- Important note: This plan does not include permission to administer medication. A Seizure medication management order (SMMO) is also necessary.
Seizure medication management order (SMMO)
- What it’s for: This is the order that gives school personnel permission to give seizure rescue medications. This form must be submitted to the LEA if emergency medication is required at school. It should be submitted to the school every year and must be signed by a parent and the student’s healthcare provider.
- Who writes it: The student’s doctor, with input from the school nurse and parent/guardian.
Individualized health care plan (IHP)
- What it’s for: Explains how seizure care will be managed at school. It is a written document developed by the school nurse using the nursing process, which includes assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Who writes it: The school nurse for their use.
- Important note: The IHP is needed if seizure care tasks are delegated to other staff members.
Emergency action plan (EAP)
- What it’s for: Summarizes what to do in a seizure emergency so staff know how to help.
- Who writes it: The school nurse.
- Who sees it: All staff who support the student.
Seizure awareness training
Under UCA 53G-9-213, local education agencies (LEAs) are required to provide seizure training to all administrators, teachers, classroom aides, and other individuals who interact with or supervise students. This training must be offered every 3 years and include:
- Recognizing the signs and symptoms of seizures.
- Taking appropriate steps for seizure first aid.
Below are links to approved training programs:
Epilepsy Foundation: Seizure training for school personnel (60 min)
Epilepsy Foundation: Seizure first aid ready (30 min)
Epilepsy Alliance of America: Seizure first aid training for school personnel (30 min)
Vector training solutions: Available only if your district or school contracts with them for training.
Training volunteer staff: Seizure rescue medication
According to 53G-9-505, a trained school employee volunteer may receive training in the administration of seizure rescue medication. Volunteers must complete the required training and demonstrate competency in the administration of these medications.
The following materials are available to help in training school volunteers:
- Training preparation: The person should watch the training presentation and complete the trained volunteer quiz in advance.
- Hands-on training: The school nurse will meet with the person to conduct the hands-on portion of the training and sign off on the volunteer competency checklist.
- Completion: Upon successful completion of all steps, the school nurse can sign the training certificate.
Annual refresher training: People who intend to remain trained school employee volunteers must complete an annual refresher training.
*Note: Stipends are no longer available to volunteer staff (funding removed by the legislature).
Training
- Quiz
- Checklist
- Additional videos
Past webinars
The following trainings are specifically designed for school nurses and offer information, strategies, and resources to enhance the management of students with seizures. These trainings are produced by the Epilepsy Foundation.
Seizure training for school nurses: Caring for students (on demand) 2.75 CEU credits