Everyone wants to be healthy as we head back to school next month. School nurses are a great resource to ensure students are happy, healthy and ready to learn!
Why are school nurses important?
As Alicia emphasized, school nurses are an important part of a strong public health ecosystem. Their job is to work with parents, teachers and students to maintain school safety, so everyone has an opportunity to learn. They are oftentimes more accessible than primary health care providers, and foster strong relationships within and beyond the school community.
Other important jobs of school nurses include:
- Educating students on how to stay healthy, and why it’s important
- Managing student chronic conditions at school
- Helping keep students safe from preventable disease
- Providing a safe space for students to talk about their physical and mental health
- Liaising between primary care physicians, parents, students and public health agencies
- Understanding the needs of the community they serve
- Highlighting the work of health officials at school events and professional development days
Vaccines and school nurses
School nurses are a great resource if you have questions about vaccines. They can check student vaccine records, provide resources on where to get vaccinated, and advise on which recommended vaccine a student may need. If you have any questions about vaccines, be sure to ask your school nurse!
Thank your school nurse!
Overall, school nurses are great resources for the school and can connect communities to promote public health. If you have a school nurse make sure to get to know them, say thank you and ask them how you can stay healthy this school year!
For more on school nurses, check out the National Association of School Nurses website.
