"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and life-long achievement and health of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety including a healthy environment; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self advocacy, and learning." - NASN, 2010.

The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing to encompass the many roles that the school nurse plays in today’s changing school environments. The inclusion of students with multiple chronic health issues into mainstream classrooms is just one area that illustrates the importance of having nurses in our schools. Increasing state regulations are best met by school nurses with expertise to understand the policies and issues addressed.

Increased awareness of topics such as food allergies, wellness, nutrition, autism, disease prevention, and health promotion create an increased need for knowledgeable health professionals in the school environment. School nurses meet this need in addition to being a daily resource for helping the ill, the injured, and even those who just need some tender loving care in our school communities.

"You can’t educate a child who isn’t healthy and

you can’t keep a child healthy who isn’t educated."

- Jocelyn Elders, Former U.S. Surgeon General