Student well-being is intricately connected to the well-being of the broader community, including adults and school nurses. Student well-being is not isolated but is deeply intertwined with the well-being of the entire school ecosystem and broader community. Recognizing and addressing this interconnection is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve overall well-being for all stakeholders in the educational environment. By focusing on these priorities, NASN can help create a more interconnected and supportive school environment that benefits the well-being of all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem.
NASN advocates for the well-being and safety of all students and is committed to advocating for health equity for all children/youth in the country. NASN’s student well-being priorities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Enhancing School Safety
- Prioritize evidence-based school safety initiatives that include school nurses in design and implementation. Active shooter drills, lockdown drills, and lockout drills are examples of how school nurses should be included in the interdisciplinary teams to ensure these drills are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate for a wide range of student populations.
- Advocate for school nurses' involvement in emergency preparedness, response planning, and after-action reviews.
- School nurses contribute to the secure storage initiative that has been deemed appropriate for school communities to engage in through the US Department of Education and the White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention.
Provide Evidence-based Care to Students
- Advocate for nurse-led school health services models of practice that support health equity and reduce student inequities.
- Ensure safe learning environments for students through equitable access to school nurses and fostering interdisciplinary team collaboration.
- Ensure appropriate access to emergency medication and treatments for students.
Promote a Holistic Approach to Well-being
- Develop comprehensive wellness programs that address the needs of students, staff, and school nurses simultaneously.
- Increasing student well-being and academic success by promoting organizational school wellness.
- Advocate for policies that support the mental and physical health of all school community members.
- Collaborate with community organizations to create support networks extending beyond the school environment.
Foster a Positive School Climate
- Work with school administrators to implement policies that promote a healthy work-life balance for all staff.
- Develop initiatives that encourage positive interactions between students, teachers, and school nurses.
- Advocate for the integration of well-being metrics into school performance evaluations.
Strengthen Community Connections
- Establish partnerships with local healthcare providers to improve access to resources for students and staff.
- Organize community health fairs and education events led by school nurses to promote overall wellness.
- Collaborate with parent-teacher associations and other organizations to involve families in school well-being initiatives.
Implement Data-Driven Strategies
- Conduct regular assessments of student, staff, and school nurse well-being to identify areas for improvement.
- Use evidence-based interventions to address specific well-being challenges identified in the school community.
- Share success stories and best practices across school districts to promote effective well-being strategies.
Legislation in support of student well-being include:
- NASN’s NURSE (Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere) Act
- NASN’s One School, One Nurse Act
- Legislation that prohibits all flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and vaping.
- Legislation that advances health equity for children, youth, and families.
- Legislation that minimizes the risk of extreme weather on student health and well-being.
- Legislation that provides access to emergency life-saving medications and treatments for students.