Ep. 135: Food Allergies in School - A School Nurse’s Perspective
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Genentech for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 135:
When it comes to keeping kids with food allergies safe at school, school nurses are often the quiet heroes behind the scenes. From managing allergy action plans and emergency responses to training teachers and organizing care for hundreds of students, their role is essential, but often misunderstood.
Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta sit down with Elizabeth Elliott, a school nurse and President of the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses. Liz shares what really happens inside the health room and how school nurses coordinate care for students with food allergies and asthma. Plus, why communication between families and school staff is key to keeping kids safe.
After this episode, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for your school nurse and a better understanding of how to partner with them to make every school day safer for kids with allergies.
What we cover in our episode about food allergy management at school:
The school nurse’s role: How nurses bridge communication between families, teachers, and doctors to keep children with food allergies safe and included during the school day.
Coordinating care: How school nurses use action plans and 504s to ensure everyone, from teachers to cafeteria staff, knows how to keep kids safe.
Training and emergency preparedness: How school nurses teach staff to recognize anaphylaxis, use epinephrine, and stay calm during an emergency.
Field trips, cafeterias, and bus safety: What goes into planning safe experiences beyond the classroom, and why “no-food on the bus” rules really matter.
Advocating for resources: How families can support their school nurses and advocate for better funding, staffing, and allergy awareness in schools.
About our school nurse:
Elizabeth Elliott, BSN, RN, NCSN, is a nurse administrator in Montgomery County, Maryland, and President of the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses. She has worked in school health since 2009 and serves on the board of the Allergy & Asthma Network, where she advocates for students with allergies and asthma nationwide. Liz is passionate about empowering school nurses, families, and educators to create safer, more inclusive environments for children with chronic conditions.
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More resources about food allergies
Food Allergy Treatment & Management
Living with Food Allergies
Managing Allergies in Schools for Parents
School Plans for Students with Food Allergies
More episodes about food allergies
More Food Allergy Episodes!
Timestamps
Our episode explores the role of the school nurse for managing food allergies.
01:04 Liz intro
02:17 Role of the school nurse
03:55 Policies in place at schools for food allergies
07:29 How nurses keep everything organized
10:30 Managing multiple students’ needs without being overwhelmed
14:18 Being clear about asthma or allergic reaction
15:05 Do school nurses work during the summer?
17:40 Where epinephrine is kept during the school day
20:11 No-food zones in schools
22:34 Epinephrine on the school bus
24:21 Field trips and allergy safety
31:05 What about schools without a school nurse?
