Why School Nurses are Important
The School Health Nursing Program adopts and utilizes the definition of School Nursing developed by the American Nursing Association (ANA) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). School Nursing is defined as a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and life-long achievement of students.
Expectations of the School Nurse — Scope of Care and Practice
The Children’s School Services Nurse’s Scope of Practice is consistent and congruent with the scope of practice described by the American Nursing Association and the National Association of School Nurses. Both are incorporated into this program to provide a clear and concise description of the role of the Children’s School Services nurse.
Children’s School Services nurses:
- Provide direct healthcare to students
- Provide leadership for the provision of health services as a healthcare expert
- Provide screening and referral for health conditions
- Promote a healthy school environment
- Serve in a leadership role for health policies and programs
- Serve as a liaison between school personnel, family, community and healthcare providers
- Support student success by providing healthcare assessment, intervention and follow-up for all children within the school setting
- Facilitate positive student responses to normal development
- Promote health and safety through education about healthy practices and treatment conditions
- Address actual and potential health problems
- Coordinate care across settings and among care givers promoting continuity of care
- Actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self advocacy and learning
- Engage in professional nursing practice using the nursing process for decision making and actions
Child Health Issues — Implications for School Nurses
The Child Health Action Plan released by the Department of Health in 2008 identified several key strategies for addressing the health and well being of students as indicated below:
- Education
- Prevention
- Early Intervention
- Policy Development and Enforcement
- Capacity Building
- Community Mobilization
- Community Economic Development