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I’m honored to share a recently published article in JAMA Health Forum, “Role of School Nurses in the Health and Education of Children,“ co-authored with my esteemed colleagues Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MPH, RN, and Elizabeth Dickson, PhD, RN. Published on January 23, 2025, our open-access article explores the critical role of school nurses in promoting student health and academic success.
Our work examines how school nursing has evolved from its inception in 1902 when Lina Rogers became the first school nurse in New York City. Today, school nurses address a wide spectrum of physical, mental, and behavioral health needs, far beyond the historical focus on infectious disease control.
Key insights from our article include:
- The expanding responsibilities of school nurses, including managing chronic conditions, providing mental health support, and addressing public health emergencies.
- The crucial role of school nurses in reducing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare access, especially for students in marginalized communities.
- Challenges facing school nurses, such as inadequate funding, overwhelming caseloads, and staffing shortages.
- Evidence-based recommendations to strengthen school nursing, including ensuring at least one full-time nurse per school and enhancing specialized training.
Our article aims to stimulate meaningful dialogue about the future of school health services and inspire fellow school nurses to continue their invaluable work. As we look ahead, recognizing and supporting the contributions of school nurses will be essential in addressing the complex health challenges our students face today.
We invite you to read our article and join the conversation about the crucial role of school nurses in shaping healthier learning environments and brighter futures for our children and communities.
Download the full article by clicking on this link
