General Information
School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; 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.
The primary role of the school nurse is sto support student learning. The nurse accomplishes this by implementing strategies that promote student and staff health and safety. The school nurse provides the following services.
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Illness, injury assessments and interventions
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Identification, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of student health concerns
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Health assessments/parctipation in Individualized Education Plan development
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Pediatric nursing procedures
- Screening for health factors impacting student education
- Activities and education to promote health and prevent teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, tobacco use and alcohol and substance abuse
- Chronic disease management and education
- Individualized Healthcare Plans and services for students with disabilities and/or halth conditions that interfere with learning
- Medication administration and monitoring
- Health curriculum recommendations
- Guidelines for school district health policies, goals, and objectives
- School/community/health care provider liaison
Source: The Role of the School Nurse (1999). Scarborough, ME:NASN.
Program Courses
NURS 414 Foundations and Principles of School Health Nursing - 3 semester hours. This course is offered online and designed for the professional registered nurse specializing in school health nursing. Unique skills and knowledge necessary for the school nurse to perform in public schools (K-12) are presented. Students focus on the understanding of student services and programs, the professional role of the school nurse, and the functions of schools in the community. Course concepts include: case management, collaboration; chroic illness and family impact; assessment; growth and development theories, legal aspects, including delegation and the Nurse Practice Act.
NURS 416 School Health Nursing Practicum - 3 semester hours. This clinical course enables the student to apply information learned in Foundations and Principles of School Health Nursing. In caring for students in the public schooks (K-12), the nursing student will employ skills, knowledge, and national standards and guidelines to develop and implement school health programs. Students will be engaged in school health needs assessments, screening and counseling, examining community resources, and reviewing and developing plans for school age youth.
Eligibility and Endorsement (Must have Valid RN License)
These courses may be taken by BSN registered nurses and senior BSN students. Registered nurses who have a BSN, successful completion of the school health nursing courses, and pass the PPST (Pre Professional Skills Test) may apply to the WV Department of Education for endorsement as a school nurse. The School Nurse program is approved by the West Virginia Department of Education.