National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Position Statement: Restraint and Seclusion Elimination in School Settings.

This article presents the National Association of School Nurses' (NASN) position opposing the use of restraint and seclusion in schools, emphasizing that all students deserve safe, supportive, inclusive, and equitable learning environments. It defines restraint as forced physical restriction and seclusion as involuntary isolation, noting both lack evidence of therapeutic benefit and can cause physical, emotional, and academic harm, disproportionately affecting students with disabilities, boys, and students from marginalized racial and socioeconomic groups. NASN advocates for trauma-informed care, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), social-emotional learning (SEL), and individualized accommodations under special education law as effective, evidence-based alternatives. The article highlights the role of school nurses as leaders in developing and implementing these strategies alongside educational teams to promote student well-being and equitable school climates.