The Benefits of Intentional Nurse Rounds in Schools

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• Nurse rounds are a standard practice in clinical settings, enhancing patient care and communication.
• School nurses traditionally use the School Nurse Practice Framework to support student health and academic success.
• The School Nurse Practice Framework emphasizes relationship building and professional practice for care coordination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of nurse rounds into school nursing practice.
• To evaluate the impact of nurse rounds on student health, school community relationships, and the visibility of school nurses.
• To determine if nurse rounds complement existing school nursing frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of intentional nurse rounds in a school setting.
• Data collection on health office visits, student-teacher relationships, and school nurse visibility.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the practice's effects.

Main Results:

• Decreased health office visits among students.
• Improved relationships between students and teachers.
• Increased visibility and perceived importance of the school nurse within the school community.

Conclusions:

• Integrating nurse rounds complements the School Nurse Practice Framework by providing proactive student support.
• Nurse rounds can elevate school nursing practice, enhance student well-being, and foster a more supportive school environment.
• This practice promotes better communication and collaboration among students, staff, and the school nurse.