School nurses play an important role in supporting the physical, emotional, and overall well-being of students. They provide direct care, manage chronic health conditions, respond to emergencies, and help ensure students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Because nurses are part of the school community every day, they are often the first to notice when a child may need additional health support.
How School Nurses Support Students
School nurses work closely with students, families, school staff and community healthcare providers to:
- Provide daily and emergency care for students with health needs
- Manage chronic health conditions such as asthma, severe allergies, and type 1 diabetes
- Develop and implement individualized health care plans
- Train and support school staff on medical procedures and emergency response
- Administer medications and monitor student health status
- Respond to illness, injury, and medical emergencies
- Support students who are coping with stress, illness, or other challenges
Care Coordination & Family Support
School nurses serve as a critical link between school, home, and medical providers by:
- Communicating with families and healthcare providers to ensure safe care at school
- Supporting students with medical accommodations and care needs
- Assisting with transitions back to school after illness, hospitalization, or homebound services
- Helping families access community healthcare resources
Health Screenings & Prevention
School nurses help identify potential health concerns that may impact learning by providing:
- Vision, hearing, and other state mandated health screenings
- Monitoring for communicable illnesses and promoting disease prevention
- Health education that encourages healthy habits and safety
Mental & Emotional Health Support
School nurses also support students’ mental and emotional well-being by:
- Identifying students who may need additional support
- Providing early intervention and referrals
- Collaborating with school teams to support students experiencing stress, anxiety, or other challenges
Supporting Student Success
School nurses contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment by:
- Supporting Section 504 plans and health-related components of IEPs
- Promoting student attendance and reducing health-related barriers to learning
- Ensuring schools are prepared to respond to student health needs
For more information, visit: Health Services - Marion County Public Schools