Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health Services: Policy Statement

School nursing has evolved into an essential field bridging health care and education. School nurses play multifaceted roles, addressing direct care, care coordination, public health, leadership, and quality improvement. They manage communicable diseases, chronic conditions, mental health, and emergencies while promoting safe, equitable learning environments. Collaboration with pediatricians enhances outcomes for students, families, and communities by addressing shared challenges like the rising prevalence of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), mental health concerns, and health inequities. Despite these contributions, disparities in school nurse access persist. The 2024 National School Nurse Workforce Study revealed only 65.7% of schools have access to full-time nurses, with pronounced disparities depending on school type, geography, and socioeconomic factors. Lack of access to a full-time school nurse limits the ability to meet the growing health demands of students, including chronic disease management, mental health interventions, and pandemic-related setbacks like delayed immunizations and screenings. By fostering partnerships with school nurses, pediatricians can support preventive care, improve care coordination, and advocate for equitable resources. Collaborative efforts in health policy, emergency preparedness, and technology-driven communication enhance team-based care. Investing in school nursing is an investment in children's health, safety, and academic success. Advocacy, research, and sustainable funding models are crucial to expanding access and addressing disparities, ensuring school health services remain integral to promoting health equity and academic achievement.