A rural ND student connects with a registered nurse through telehealth.

BCBSND Caring Foundation recently partnered with rural K-12 school districts from across the State of North Dakota to provide nurse coverage for the entire school day and ensure immediate response to student needs. Using high-definition video technology, students and school staff are now able to connect to a registered nurse within 5 minutes.

Pam Gulleson, BCBSND Caring Foundation Executive Director states, “With the rise of student health needs such as asthma, food allergies, diabetes and behavioral health, schools are facing an increased need to provide experienced nursing care for their students. The BCBSND Caring Foundation is pleased to be supporting schools as they respond to the needs of their students, as well as investing in better health for our youth.”

Last school year, over 1,850 school nursing video visits occurred through this partnership in North Dakota. Having this e-visit technology as a resource for the students and their health needs provides services in innovative ways and creates critical partnerships within communities in order to ensure North Dakotans better access to care.

Many North Dakota schools are participating, including Velva, Max, Burlington, Westhope, Fairmount, Standing Rock, Underwood, Fort Yates, Sawyer, Bottineau, Newburg, Milnor, Wilton and Grandville.