Role of the School Nurse
21st Century School Nursing Practice
"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 students responses to natural development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and 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."
The Definition of School Nursing/The National Association of School Nurses
The Duties and Responsibilities of the School Nurse:
Serves as coordinator of comprehensive health services
Delegates selected nursing tasks to other competent personnel and provides training and supervision of such
Coordinates and communicates health care information between students, staff, family and physician
Develops Individualized Health Care Plans and Emergency Care Plans for students with acute or chronic health problems
Counsels students, parents and staff regarding health development and psycho-social concerns
Provides health screenings as designated by state regulations, i.e., vision, hearing, blood pressure, scoliosis, heights and weight
Participates in the identification, referral and health appraisal of students with the Child Study Team
Participates in identifying students needing 504 plans and participates in the development of a comprehensive plan
Submits data and reports to state agencies related to immunzations, TB testing and employee injuries
Maintains accurate records of all nursing care provided
Teaches health education and promotes wellness activities
Provides assessment and care of onsite injuries and illness