Most people strongly agree that school nurses play an invaluable role in student health and wellness, and school health teams are becoming even more essential as student needs increase and become more complex. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests hiring one school nurse for every 750 students, but many schools are falling short of this ratio and facing staffing shortages.
Prioritizing filling school nurse positions results in significant improvements to student health and educational outcomes. One Massachusetts study showed a measurable societal savings of $2.20 for every $1.00 spent on school nursing. Other benefits include lower rates of absenteeism, better management of chronic conditions, and more support for mental health needs.
When school administrators understand the value of investing in nursing, the key role school nurses play, and how best to support school nurses across unique situations, there can be a measurable positive impact on student outcomes.
Understanding the Role of School Nurses
Many people assume they know what a school nurse does, but those responsibilities extend beyond the basic care that might first come to mind. When the full scope of a school nurse’s responsibilities is understood, it’s clear how essential their role is to overall student health and school wellness. Some of their routine responsibilities include:
Managing Health Disparities
As student-facing health professionals, school nurses play a key role in addressing health disparities and providing direct access to healthcare and resources. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the various factors in a student’s life that influence their well-being, and school nurses are trained to pay special attention to SDOH among their students.
Monitoring Chronic Conditions
One in four students in the United States goes to school with a chronic health condition, and school nurses play an important role in supporting management of those conditions. Students with chronic conditions may face both health challenges and academic hurdles, but school nurses can be supportive and help improve student success.
Supporting Mental Health
Mental health concerns are growing in schools, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that schools need to be safer and more supportive in response. Having a school-based support network for mental health needs can greatly impact a student’s experience, and school nurses are often the initial point of contact for mental health concerns. They play a key role in intervention and keep families, schools, and students connected in managing challenges.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
The current rate of chronic absenteeism in the U.S. (defined as missing 10 percent or more of school) reached 31 percent in the 2021–2022 school year, following the COVID-19 pandemic. While some improvements in that rate have been seen in recent years, chronic absenteeism remains an issue that affects student achievement and well-being. A school nurse can address chronic absenteeism by addressing symptoms and diagnosing root causes.
Administering Medication
Nearly 19 percent of students in the U.S. have health care needs that require prescription medications to be administered during school hours. When a school nurse is involved in managing and administering medication, students have better outcomes and are more likely to stay safe and healthy in their school environment.
Directing School Health Initiatives
Overall, school health can be greatly improved by initiatives managed by school nurses. With focused efforts to promote health, prevent communicable disease, and empower students, better choices can be encouraged schoolwide.
The Value of Investing in School Nursing
Studies have shown that investing in school nurses has a measurable impact on reducing societal costs. But the numbers aren’t the only reason to prioritize school health support. Here are other reasons that show the value of investing in school nursing:
Improved Academic Outcomes
The presence of a school nurse is associated with reduced absenteeism, a pressing issue for many U.S. schools. When students receive direct support for their emotional and physical safety, they are more likely to attend school and achieve better academic outcomes.
Cost Savings
Studies have shown that the cost of investing in school nursing is more than offset by the positive societal benefits that stem from providing that support. Proactively prioritizing student health and wellness can avoid costly outcomes and improve student well-being.
Time Savings for Educators
Educators and clerical staff are more able to focus on their specific roles when nursing staff handle student health issues. School nurses have been shown to save time for families, principals, and other school staff members by providing prevention and treatment.
Better Support for Parents
School nurses can often serve as a bridge between a student’s school and home life. They can be the point person for families of students with health needs or work with medical practitioners to provide students with the specific support they need. When the school has a designated health professional, students will have a better health management experience with smoother school-day transitions.
How To Best Support School Nurses
The benefits that school nurses bring to student life can only be realized with administrative support. This support often looks like:
Adequate Resources and Staffing
When the nurse-to-student ratio is well above the recommendation, school nurses can no longer adequately support their students. Administrators have a duty to advocate for better ratios and to hire school nurses when needed. Resources such as supplies, assistants, and up-to-date technology are also important to fully support school nurses.
Professional Training and Development
School nurses need ongoing educational opportunities to stay current with the latest trends, practices, issues, and training. Schools are reporting rising mental health challenges, and school nurses need informed training and strategies to address those needs correctly.
Collaboration and Funding for School Health Programs
The problems addressed by school nurses cannot be on their shoulders alone. Success with health initiatives and wellness programs will often depend on collaborating with counselors, social workers, educators, administrators, and other school team members. The funding behind successful health services also requires active advocacy and mindful funding.
Finding the Right School Nurse Position
Supplemental Health Care recognizes the growing needs that school nurses meet for schools and student populations. We know that education staffing agencies aren’t just filling openings — we’re connecting supportive districts with qualified school health professionals and fostering better student outcomes.
If your district is hiring a school nursing role, or you’re a nurse ready to find a supportive position where you can make a difference in student lives, SHC can help connect you with the right fit. Contact us today to learn more about vetted school nursing positions and candidates.
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