Health education: an important role for school nurses

Health education is an important, yet challenging and time-consuming, nursing intervention. It is one of the most important tools school nurses have in teaching students, families, and staff about health. To be effective health educators, nurses need skills in planning and implementing attractive and effective programs to students. They also need to develop skills in evaluating the effectiveness of their efforts to emphasize the impact school nursing can have on the health of children. This editorial highlights the school nurse's role in health education in schools and gives a brief overview of the health education process. Health education provides many opportunities for school nurses to reach out in new and creative ways to students in their quest to promote health and success in the school environment.