9:35 - 10:35 AM
The Essential Toolkit for School Nurses: POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS
Nicholette Riddle, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN, Monika Christiansen, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN, NCSN, and Samantha Funke, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN
Illinois Association of School Nurses
In recent years, school nurses have seen an increase in the number of students who have been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). These conditions are often difficult to diagnose, causing delays in treatment that adversely impact quality of life. This Essential Toolkit was developed in response to the lack of resources available to manage POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS in the school setting and aimed to provide a continuing education resource for school nurses. Tools include educational materials for the school nurse to expand their knowledge and to present to fellow school nurses, administrators, staff, parents, and students, increasing awareness of these conditions. The Toolkit also includes IHP/Response Plan templates, an accommodations guide, a one-page Quick Reference sheet, a visual symptoms chart, and educational handouts for parents. The Toolkit will be presented to a group of school nurses during an Illinois Association of School Nurses Town Hall on November 20th, 2025. We hypothesize that this toolkit will enable school nurses to feel more prepared to manage and respond to students with these conditions, advocate for students with hidden disabilities, and care for their complex health needs. We hope that this Toolkit will be used by school nurses to improve access to education for students with hidden disabilities, thereby improving their quality of life and enabling them to reach their full potential.