The health related needs of students are intensifying in our schools. Student safety is the primary concern for professional school nurses who deliver health services to students. The list below highlights the multifaceted role of the school nurse. These points are taken from Position Statements and Issue Briefs from the National Association of School Nurses.

The school nurse provides direct health care to students and staff.

• The school nurse provides emergency services including triage, illness and injury care, referral and
  follow-up.
• The school nurse supervises the management and treatment of health conditions within the school setting including blood sugar monitoring and asthma management.
• The school nurse provides leadership for the provision of health services.
• The school nurse makes use of their professional education and skills to assist their schools and local communities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of coordinated school health education.
• The school nurse develops and implements individualized health care plans within state practice act parameters on health conditions.
• The school nurse acts as a case manager, particularly for those children with special health care needs.

The school nurse provides screening and referral for health conditions.

• The school nurse provides health counseling, including referral and follow-up.
• The school nurse encourages enrollment of students in State Children’s Health Insurance Programs.
• The school nurse connects students, families, and staff with community health care providers.
• The school nurse promotes a healthy school environment.
• The school nurse is the health expert in the school setting. They have the educational knowledge and background to be actively involved in promoting a safe school environment.

The school nurse promotes health.

• The school nurse provides health education for students, families, and staff.
• The school nurse has knowledge and expertise in the areas of nutrition, weight maintenance, and exercise. This knowledge can be applied in prevention programs and interventions for students at risk or overweight.
• The school nurse helps adolescents make responsible choices that will affect their health
• The school nurse plays a vital role as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support early assessment, planning, intervention, and follow-up of children in need of mental health services.

The school nurse serves in a leadership role for health policies and programs.

• The school nurse is in a position to assess immunization needs and serve in a leadership capacity to develop school immunization programs and promote community awareness of the value of immunizations in the primary prevention of disease throughout the lifespan.
• The school nurse represents a unique and vital resource relative to the successful creation and implementation of disaster preparedness for chemical and radiological events in and around schools. They are in a position to monitor unusual signs, recognize patterns of symptom presentation, and act to protect against the immediate spread of possible contaminants.
• The school nurse has the educational background and knowledge to assist school districts to develop and implement practices that protect employees from bloodborne pathogens.