Pursue a Career in School Health Nursing

Pursue a Career in School Health Nursing

School health nursing is very different from hospital nursing. School health nurses must like children a lot. They often work alone, out of touch with other nurses, the hospital, and all professional supports they have known. They are responsible for the school’s activities in the areas of health service, health education, and environmental health and safety.

The primary function of the school is education. The health program of each school is geared toward making the students and faculty understand those programs which emphasize health promotion, prevention of disease, and follow – through of any findings that may indicate a need for medical care and treatment. They perform a wide variety of services including basic screening for vision, hearing, and risk factors that would interfere with the development of a healthy lifestyle.

For a school nurse, team relationship with other members of the school staff and participation in their activities will depend on the size of the school, the community, and the health needs of the pupils, and availability of other personnel such as social workers or guidance counselors.

Advantages of school nursing

School nursing affords one the opportunity to watch children advance from grade to grade in school health. Hours are usually good and there is no shift duty.

Disadvantages

Many school nurses do not update themselves on the current issues in nursing making them unaware of the changes in the nursing practice.
School nurses should enjoy working with children and should be able to work through, and with others to achieve their objectives. They should accept the educational functions of the school and be committed to the promotion of health through education.