The role of the school nurse is different from a community nurse. School nurses are specialized nurses who are trained to care for children at schools. Most of the school nurses undergo specialized training in family nursing and child health nursing (pediatrics). It is considered that higher the educational level of the school nurse, the better the nurse would be at delivering care to the child. The roles and functions of school nurses are inclined towards the care of children. Some of the roles that school nurses play are educators, counselors, direct caregivers, case managers, and consultants.
Direct caregiver is the traditional role of the school nurse. However, in the case of school children, a nursing professional is expected to give immediate attention to an injured or ill child. School nurses would also attend to staff members at school. School nurses would also act as health educators. They would be involved in educating children both individually and in the classroom. School nurses educate children on nutrition and self-hygiene. Many school nurses are also involved in educating adolescent children about the physical and psychological changes in the body. School nurses also function as a case manager. The co-ordination and management of healthcare facilities for children with complex health problems are some of the key responsibilities of school nurses.
School nurses would fix an appointment with a healthcare professional without affecting the child’s academic day. School nurses would also function as a consultant. School nurses interact with the school’s administrators, teachers, and teacher-parent groups. As a consultant, the school nurse would provide inputs on the impacts of the school environment on the child. School nurses would also recommend changing the school policies for the betterment of children. Lastly. School nurses would play an important role as a counsellor. School nurses would build the communication gap between children and parents in association with health problems. School nurses would function as a trustworthy person who the child can rely on and confide. To conclude, school nurses play an important role.
References.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing. Population-Centered Health Care in the Community. Web. Retrieved: https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/978-0-323-08001-9/pages/66265574
Chabot, G., Gagnon, MP., & Godin G. (2012). Redefining the school nurse role: an organizational perspective. J Health Organ Manag. 2012; 26 (4-5):444-66. Retrieved: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115899
