What Are the Duties of a School Nurse?

Nurses are health care professionals who work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals and nursing homes. School nurses are nurses employed in a school setting. A school nurse has many different duties she is expected to perform each school day. Such tasks include supervising the health of the entire school body as well as serving as a liaison between the health care community and the school population. School nurses perform a vital role in the educational setting.

Assist Students With Medical Needs

School nurses assist students with chronic health care conditions. Some students may have ongoing health care needs necessitating the intervention of a health care professional. Diabetics may need a nurse to help them keep track of their blood sugar on a daily basis. Students combating childhood cancer may need assistance in administering medications. Students with special needs such as a student with a metabolic disorder such as PKU may need assistance in choosing a proper diet. A school nurse can not only assist such students but also help them achieve their optimal long-term health goals.

Assist Faculty Members Facing Ilness

School nurses assist faculty members with chronic health care conditions. Some faculty members may have health care conditions that necessitate the need of a professional such as cardiac care problems or posttransplant care. A nurse can help a faculty member attend to his health care needs, thus decreasing the need for absences. This can help students learn better by making sure that faculty members are available to teach without the need for substitute teachers.

Teach Classes

Nurses teach health care classes. School nurses may teach students basic classes in hygiene. Such classes can help students learn about the proper way to decrease germ transmission or how best to avoid sexually transmitted disease.

Emergency Leadership

School nurses assume a leadership role in case of an emergency. If a school faces an emergency such as a fire or bus crash, a school nurse can assist faculty members and students in coping with the emergency. A school nurse can administer medication and treat any resulting injury. School nurses can also help students cope with any trauma as a result.

Health Care Screening Tests

School nurses administer health care screening tests. School nurses may help check students for signs of all kinds of medical conditions. Such conditions may include screenings for otherwise unnoticed health care problems such as scoliosis, eye problems, malnutrition or physical abuse. A school nurse can also offer referrals if students require them for conditions such as speech problems that may need further medical intervention to correct.