National School Nurse Day

School nurses advocate for students’ health and safety at district and state policy levels. These policies include: safe medication storage and administration, evidence-based ‘too-sick-for-school’ guidelines, high nutritional standards for school meals, appropriate physical education and recess times, involvement in school attendance teams, and promotion of trauma informed care supporting students with mental health concerns.

Students with chronic and acute health conditions can have their health needs met at school because of their school nurse’s clinical assessment, judgment, and planning. School staff are trained by school nurses to understand emergency signs and symptoms, and when and how to get help, allowing maximum in-class time for students who require medical interventions.

Evidence-based practice is the foundation of school nursing interventions, and data collection is an important step in supporting positive student outcomes. School nurses are putting systems into place that will allow measurement of their actions as they strive to improve their practice.

Regardless of specific job duties, populations served, or specialty practices, NASN Standards of Practice provide essential foundational guidance for how a school nurse should act in their professional capacity. School nurses function within the scope of their practice to safeguard student health and safety and promote positive health outcomes.

School nurses combat school and community health barriers by partnering with stakeholders to advocate for policies and systems that promote healthy communities. They understand the social determinants of health and their impact upon our most vulnerable populations. School nurses work to mitigate those impacts to support student health and learning.