Delivering health care to children on their turf: an elementary school-based wellness center

The main focus of school nurses is keeping children healthy by stressing health maintenance, wellness education, and injury prevention. Through the joint effort of numerous interested parties, a school-based wellness center was started in a 397-student, ethnically diverse elementary school. Various consultants including a social worker, dietician, psychologist, psychiatrist, and local dentist are available to help children in high-risk categories. The Wellness Center collaborates with the children's primary care provider in coordinating health care. Local nurse practitioner students use the Wellness Center as part of their clinical rotations, allowing them to integrate and apply their pediatric theoretical and medical/nursing knowledge. Outcome measures include higher academic performance, increased school attendance, increased student registration and participation in the Wellness Center, and increased compliance with immunizations.