School nurses and menstrual communication: Destigmatizing the stigma among adolescents.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to understand how school nurses, often the first line of defense for menstruating adolescents, use communication to assist adolescents in destigmatizing menstruation.DesignI conducted semi-structured narrative interviews with nine nurses employed in a large school district in Northeast Indiana.MethodsInterviews were coded, categorized, and used a phronetic iterative approach.ResultsAnalysis determines that nurses assist menstruating students using steps toward accepting menstruation and suggesting ways to avoid menstrual stigmatization.ConclusionThis study suggests that school nurses use positive language to assist students in handling their menstruation problems, develop allyships with parents and other teachers, and stress menstrual education. This study highlights the need for more funding for menstrual products and additional school nurses.