School Nurses
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 adaption, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.
School Nurse Program Goals
- Evaluate student health records to identify students with health concerns.
- Communicate with parents to determine the extent of the child’s health needs and the desired response of school personnel.
- Provide professional nursing assessment to determine the health status and needs of students and staff.
- Communicate with district and school staff as needed to ensure the health and safety of the child.
- Contact child’s medical care provider as needed to provide care safely and legally to child.
- Utilize community agencies to benefit the health care of students and staff.
- Provide student education that may include but is not limited to: nutrition, dental care, healthy choices, tobacco use, puberty, abstinence, STD’s, pregnancy.
- Provide staff education that may include but is not limited to: CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, Blood borne pathogens, Medication Administration and Communicable Disease Guidelines.
- Arrange for Flu shots at schools for interested staff members.
- Prepare or assist in preparation of MSDH Immunization Compliance reports.
- Provide vision and hearing screens to all K, 1st, and 4th graders and others as necessary. Refer to MD as needed.
- Arrange for dental screens and education by dental professionals during dental health month.
- Provide basic first aid to ill and injured students and staff. Instruct on follow-up care and referrals as needed.
- Keep accurate daily logs and nurse’s notes. Report required data to district and state.
- Monitor staff’s administration and documentation of children’s medications.
- Become familiar with the self-contained students in order to respond to their individual health needs.
- Obtain timely education on school nurse issues by attending scheduled district and state nurses’ meetings.
- Participate on the Wellness committee at each school as asked.
Meridian Public School District Currently Employs 5 School Nurses.