The Relentless School Nurse: Where Do We Go From Here?

 

As another demanding school year is coming to a close (or already has), school nurses find themselves navigating an increasingly difficult landscape. Budget cuts loom large, threatening not just positions but the ability to provide vital care to students and school communities. In this moment of uncertainty, one question rises to the surface: Where do we go from here?

Start with Self-Care and Collective Support

The weight of this work—emotional, mental, and physical—can be overwhelming. That’s why now, more than ever, it’s critical for school nurses to prioritize both individual and collective well-being.

Practicing self-compassion, setting boundaries, and finding moments of rest are not luxuries—they’re survival tools. Building strong peer networks, participating in professional communities, and seeking mental health support when needed can help manage stress and prevent burnout. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s foundational to continuing this work sustainably.

Advocate with Purpose and Unity

When budgets are on the chopping block, advocacy becomes not just important, but essential. School nurses are in a unique position to speak with authority and empathy about the impact of their work.

Now is the time to show up—to school board meetings, parent forums, and community gatherings—with clear data, compelling stories, and real examples of how school nursing improves student outcomes. Involving parents, students, and teachers builds a powerful coalition. Together, we can show decision-makers that health in schools is not optional.

Creative solutions—like shared nursing positions or innovative scheduling—may help stretch limited resources. But these must be proposed with school nurses at the table, ensuring that any compromise still centers student well-being.

Work Smarter: Optimize and Streamline

Tight budgets call for smart, intentional workflows. Look for opportunities to streamline documentation and administrative tasks through technology. Advocate for support staff who can handle non-clinical responsibilities, freeing nurses to focus on what they do best: caring for students.

Take time to reflect and refine your practice. What’s working? What can be improved? Small shifts in systems can create meaningful increases in time and energy.

Grow Professionally, Speak Strategically

Even in challenging times, school nurses must continue to grow and lead. Attending professional development, sharing data, and making your work visible to administrators and community stakeholders is crucial. Your voice matters—and so does the story you tell about your role.

Explore new funding streams in collaboration with administrators. Medicaid billing, local grants, and partnerships with community health agencies can help support and sustain nursing services even when traditional funding falters.

The Road Ahead

While budget cuts pose serious challenges, school nurses are resilient and resourceful. By centering self-care, strengthening our collective voice, optimizing our practice, and continuing to grow professionally, we can meet this moment with clarity and courage.

School nurses are essential to student success—and it’s time we make sure everyone knows it.

My summer blog posts will take a deeper look at what protective factors school nurses can leverage to face the 2025 – 2026 school year. Watch for more blog posts about this urgent topic, my wheels are turning, and as always, I am open to stories, topics, suggestions, and would love to share your experiences in an upcoming guest blog spot. Contact me at relentlessschoolnurse@gmail.com

On a personal note, I will be retiring from school nursing early in the 2026 -2027 school year, so next year will be my final full year. The countdown is on for me, my friends. More to come…