Challenges faced by the modern school nurse
A few decades ago, school nurses primarily cleaned and bandaged children's cuts and scrapes from playground accidents, but nowadays these health care professionals have more complex roles. School nurses serve a vital function in childhood health care. They must review students’ immunization records, provide screening for communicable diseases and evaluate students’ symptoms when they are feeling ill. Modern school nursing also requires the ability to identify possible serious health issues and provide referrals when appropriate (AAP, 2008). Many children with chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma attend public schools, and school boards need qualified men and women with nursing degrees to help these kids manage their conditions while they receive their education (Healthy Schools Campaign, 2010).
Common health issues
During a typical school year, nurses will evaluate students for routine medical issues like cuts and abrasions, headaches, colds and flu, rashes, head lice, and other common ailments. But modern school nurses are also trained to execute more complicated medical interventions. There has been an increase in students with chronic physical, mental and neurological disorders in mainstream schools over the years, and a school nurse must be proficient in treating conditions such as asthma, diabetes, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, ADHD and more (AAP, 2008). He or she must make sure these children take medications on time and seek counseling if necessary.
School nurses are also responsible for ensuring that students with special needs are being accommodated. This may even include revising the school's health care plan. Nurses are also trained to look for signs of undiagnosed disorders when evaluating students. Many families do not have insurance, and the school nurse may be the only health care provider for some of these children (Healthy Schools Campaign, 2010). Most schools will require nurses to have at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a registered nursing license to make sure that the students have access to a fully trained professional (AAP, 2008).
Holistic health care
Modern school nursing is not limited to standard traditional medical care. School nurses have become educators as well as medics due to changes in American culture and lifestyle. Much of the work in this field involves teaching students, teachers and parents about healthy lifestyle, dietary habits and first aid (Healthy Schools Campaign, 2010). For this reason, some school health care professionals might pursue education beyond the required nursing degree. Some registered nurses might supplement their degrees with a master’s in elementary teacher education.
The school nurse may be called upon to conduct presentations for student health classes and school assemblies, or nurses might train faculty members in basic first aid or disease prevention (AAP, 2008). For example, teaching young children the importance of hand washing and other good hygiene practices can limit the spread of cold and flu. Students of all ages, parents and faculty members benefit from information about diet and exercise to prevent obesity and the associated health risks. School nurses are also responsible for implementing procedures for medical crises and disasters (AAP, 2008), which would include training staff and faculty how to provide immediate first aid. The role of the school nurse is certainly not as simple as it was in the past, which is why a modern school nurse will need a multifaceted education that goes beyond traditional medical training.
References
