The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as a
specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being,
academic success, and life-long achievement of students. The changing
health, social and emotional needs of children in schools are changing
the nature and scope of nursing services required. For many children,
the school nurse may be the first and only available health care provider.
School nursing involves a wide range of responsibilities, with the School
Nurse assuming many roles, including health care provider, consultant,
counselor, health educator, and child advocate. School nurses manage
the routine first-aid needs of school children along with the complex
needs of medically fragile students.
The opening of the Searsport District Middle/High School health office
has provided increased access for our adolescent students. The School
Nurse averages 15 hours weekly on site. Additional hours are spent as
needed off-site on follow-up and on an emergent basis. Daily, the School
Nurse handles student complaints/injuries and provides interventions
to keep students at school - where the learning takes place. Research
shows the single most important factor in success at school is attendance.
The school health program of M.S.A.D. #56 is a collaborative effort
between staff, students, and community professionals. Our goals are to
promote and safeguard the health of the school population and remove
barriers to learning.
Your support of school health services is appreciated. Health and learning
walk hand in hand.
Janis Hogan, R.N., School Nurse
(This page was last updated on
January 3, 2007
.)
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