The school nurse provides many different health services to students on a day-to-day basis, including maintaining health records and providing individualized nursing care and services to students with disabilities or chronic health conditions, while also attending to various illnesses or injuries that may occur at school. School nurses collaborate with students and parents to create Individualized Health Plans (IHP) and Emergency Action Plans (EAP) as well as contribute to Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and 504 Plans; nurses work closely with teachers and counselors to better assess and provide for the needs of each individual student. Furthermore, the school nurse provides relevant health and safety education to students, families, and staff.

Health and Academics

Promoting healthy students promotes higher academic achievement. Healthy students are better learners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019); unhealthy students, in turn, tend to have increased absences from school. Therefore, increased health and well-being is essential for academic success.

Other ways in which the school nurse works to promote health in the school is through disease prevention, such as advocating for immunizations and providing hygiene, diet and exercise, and substance abuse education. The school nurse also collaborates with the public health department and health care providers for health screenings, referrals, follow-ups, and communicable disease surveillance. These nursing tasks act to promote a safe learning environment.

By utilizing the nursing process, through assessment, intervention, and continuation of care, the school nurse can provide health care for all students. From minor injuries to emergent medical attention, the school nurse is available for all student health needs. In the state of Ohio, a school nurse is required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with additional education striving towards Ohio Department of Education (ODE) licensure, and good moral character.

Educating the educators is also an essential role of the school nurse. From emergency preparedness for all to specific safety procedures for select individuals, the school nurse is responsible for training staff on how to respond safely and effectively. Communication skills, leadership, and program management are additional necessary qualities needed when working in a multifaceted field between nursing and education. Ultimately, the goal of the school nurse is to support the student’s physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, subsequently promoting academic and future success.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Health and academics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/health_and_academics/index.htm

National Association of School Nurses. (2017). About NASN. Retrieved from  https://www.nasn.org/nasn/about-nasn/about