# More than the ABCs: assessing the information needs of school nurses

## TL;DR

The study explores the information needs and challenges faced by school nurses in Illinois, highlighting their limited access to resources and time for professional development.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the specific information needs and barriers faced by school nurses, suggesting ways medical librarians can assist them.

## Key findings

- School nurses require information on finite topics but have limited access to subscription resources.
- They lack training in critical analysis and time for professional development.
- Medical librarians can help by providing workshops and resources.

## Abstract

This interview study is a follow-up to a state-wide survey of school nurses' information needs conducted in 2022. Few studies have explored school nurses' information needs, with little focus on searching behaviors or barriers to practice.

The principal investigator interviewed participants online about their thoughts on survey results, how they find information, and challenges within the profession.

After interviews with school nurses within rural, suburban, and urban districts in the state, the authors found that school nurses required information on finite topics but had little access to subscription resources, little training in critical analysis, and lacked time for professional development.

School nurses within Illinois have routine information needs, most of which can be answered using a series of go-to resources. They are understaffed and overworked, which results in them having little time to do more than surface-level searching for care-related queries. Medical librarians may be able to assist this oft overlooked population with their information needs by providing workshops and resources.