Vulnerability in the Asian or Pacific Islander Immigrant Child

Abstract

The influx of Asian or Pacific Islander immigrants has created a challenge for United States public schools. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it elucidates the unique situation the Asian or Pacific Islander child faces in public schools by using a case study and a vulnerability model. Its second purpose is to provide school nurses with important tools to guide them in caring for these vulnerable children. The tools consist of an assessment questionnaire for school nurses to use when they measure a child's vulnerability level and tips to improve communication with non-English-speaking children. School nurses can use the information obtained from these tools to initiate primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention.

School Nurse Cultural Competency Development Using the National CLAS Standards: A Quality Improvement Project

“…Different cultural groups may have varying definitions of health, illness, and what constitutes acceptable treatment, while also using folk medicine that may be unfamiliar to Western health-care providers (Whitman et al, 2010). The important consideration of how these cultural beliefs impact health and wellness has been emphasized by multiple sources (Gambol & Gambol, 2002;Mendonca et al, 2009). A 2016 report on child migrants and refugees (Murphey, 2016) noted that additional factors such as migration experience, family stability, and economic insecurity can impact the health status of immigrant and refugee students who may present to the school nurse with vague physical symptoms and psychological distress (Roche, Vaquera, White, & Rivera, 2018).…”

“…A 2016 report on child migrants and refugees (Murphey, 2016) noted that additional factors such as migration experience, family stability, and economic insecurity can impact the health status of immigrant and refugee students who may present to the school nurse with vague physical symptoms and psychological distress (Roche, Vaquera, White, & Rivera, 2018). Authors also highlight the importance of how income and health literacy impact the ability to access and understand the health-care system, which in turn affects the health of students and ability to perform in school (Gambol & Gambol, 2002;Mendonca et al, 2009;Whitman et al, 2010).…”