ORIGINAL ARTICLE unantiei . suggest that inter-ven&ns for teachers are more likely to be’ effective when they are coordinat- ed with the sch$i nurse and ed with the sch%i nurse and focus on the impact of the condition on a child’s ability to function in the classroom. Subsequent research is necessitat- ed to determine effective strate- gies for specialty nurses to aid school nurses in providing opti- mum care for these children. / Pediatr Health Care. (1996). 70,272-279. Children with Chronic Conditions: Educators’ Views Ann Marie McCarthy, PhD, RN, PNP, Janet K. Williams, PhD, RN, CPNP, & Lynn Eidahl, MA, RN C hronic conditions affect between 0.6% and 31% of American children younger than 18 years of age, depending on the definition used (Perrin et al., 1993). The most inclusive def- inition is based on disease duration and considers a condition to be chronic if it “has lasted or is expected to last more than 3 months” (Perk et al., 1993, p. 792). This definition includes rel- atively common chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma and less common conditions such as those caused by genetics or birth defects. Children with chronic conditions face several challenges. They must cope with the unique demands of their chronic condition, including monitoring their condi- tion, treating it with medications or other procedures, and Ann Marie McCarthy is an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Janet K. Williams is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Lynn Eidahl is Genetic Clinical Nurse Specialist in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Supported by a grant from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners Foundation. Reprint requests: Ann Marie McCarthy, PhD, RN, PNP, 430 NB, College of Nursing, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242. Copyright 0 1996 by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners. 0891.5245/96/$5.00 + 0 25/l/72687 272 November/December 1996