Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health Services

Abstract

The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the important role school nurses play in promoting the optimal biopsychosocial health and well-being of school-aged children in the school setting. Although the concept of a school nurse has existed for more than a century, uniformity among states and school districts regarding the role of a registered professional nurse in schools and the laws governing it are lacking. By understanding the benefi ts, roles, and responsibilities of school nurses working as a team with the school physician, as well as their contributions to school-aged children, pediatricians can collaborate with, support, and promote school nurses in their own communities, thus improving the health, wellness, and safety of children and adolescents.

Increasing Screening Follow-Up for Vulnerable Children: A Partnership with School Nurses

“…Trained individuals performing screenings following a rigorous protocol should also develop specific procedures to inform families about both normal and abnormal results, and encourage appropriate follow-up of referrals with health care providers [34]. As demonstrated in this study, school nurses can coordinate care and work with students and families to connect them to appropriate health care professionals and community services, even to a greater extent than has been previously reported [35]. …”

Prioritizing Training Needs of School Health Staff: The Example of Vietnam

“…In addition to infectious and emergency care, the SHS participants in this study exhibited high training needs in the areas of health screening, counseling students with mental or psychological trauma, and protecting children from danger from road traffic, animals, and fire. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics on School Health [21], schools should provide regular and developmental health screening for vision, oral health, hearing, height, and weight for secondary prevention in schools. It is interesting to consider counseling students with mental or psychological trauma and protecting children from danger from road traffic, animals, and fire.…”

The Role of School Health Services in Addressing the Needs of Students With Chronic Health Conditions

“…In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a policy statement recommending at least one full-time nurse in every school (Holmes et al, 2016). Over the past several decades, children with CHCs and complex health needs have been integrated into the general education system, in addition to being seen in special education settings (McClanahan & Weismuller, 2015).…”

“…These are examples of conditions that are commonly seen, possibly affect academic achievement, or use significant resources when addressed at school. There are position and policy statements, guidance documents, tool kits as well as issue briefs from a number of organizations with expertise in this area; however, a synthesis of primary, peer-reviewed literature addressing CHCs in school settings is lacking (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2004, 2016, 2009, 2012; National Association of School Nurses, 2013, 2014). We examine the relationship between the provision of school health services (through either traditional school nursing or SBHCs) and the health and academic outcomes of students with CHCs.…”