What Do School Nurses Do?
School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual or potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self- management, self advocacy and learning (NASN, 2010).
A School Nurse takes a leadership role in serving as the coordinator of all school health programs in the following manner:
- Health Services - serves as coordinator of the health services program and provides nursing care.
- Health Education - provides health education to students, staff and parents.
- Healthy Environment - identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment and promotes a nurturing school environment.
- Nutritional Services - supports health food services and programs
- Physical Education/Activity - promotes healthy physical education, sports policies and practices
- Counseling/Mental Health - provides health counseling, assesses mental health needs, provides interventions and refers students to appropriate school staff or community agencies
- Staff Wellness - provides health education and counseling, promotes healthy activities and environment for school staff.