States and educational institutions across the country are marking School Nurse Day on May 7, highlighting the contributions of these healthcare professionals to student well-being. This observance falls during National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6 to May 12.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation recognizing both periods, emphasizing the dedication and skill nurses provide in various settings, including schools. The proclamation noted that school nurses play a role in children’s lives, often serving multiple functions, particularly in rural areas. They provide stability and reassurance to students.
School nurses function as an important part of public health infrastructure. They address emergencies and manage chronic conditions for students. Their work also involves tending to students' mental health and providing education to children and families on health topics like nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management.
Universities are involved in training future school nurses and collaborating with school districts. Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing, for example, is working with Spokane Public Schools on initiatives aimed at expanding school-based healthcare.
A new elementary school-based wellness center is planned to open in the coming school year at Logan Elementary in Spokane. This center is expected to be staffed in part by faculty and students from the WSU College of Nursing and the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.
The new center joins existing high school-based clinics in the district. While separate from the services provided by a school's dedicated nurse, these clinics extend the range of healthcare available on school grounds, offering services that can go beyond the scope of standard school nursing practice.
Students pursuing nursing degrees value clinical experiences in schools, finding it allows them to make a difference in a community by collaborating with children and families to support their health.
Becky Doughty, a graduate of the WSU College of Nursing and executive director of school support services for Spokane Public Schools, commented on the opportunity the new center provides for nursing students. "Nursing and nurse practitioner students will provide the bulk of the care at Logan," Doughty said.
