What does a school nurse do?

The equivalent of 50 full-time school nurses develop emergency care plans for students with life-threatening situations (e.g., bee stings, peanut allergies, and insulin reactions) and develop Individual Health Plans (IHP) for medically fragile students (e.g., tube feelings, catheterizations, and nebulizer treatments) for 100 schools and programs. They also care for students who become ill or injured at school.

School nurses conduct health assessments for students being evaluated for a special education's Individual Educational Plan (IEP), helping to ensure inclusion of students with disabilities and significant and/or multiple impairments. They provide input and training to school staff regarding the needs of technologically assisted students.

School nurses are responsible for state-mandated on-site vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening. They contribute to 504 accommodation plans that allow students with substantial disabilities to have equal access to education. School nurses act as an on-site public health investigator who works to prevent communicable diseases and respond to disease outbreaks under the direction of the Health Department.

School nurses are trained to provide on-site services that are culturally sensitive, focused on prevention and wellness, and to be effective outreach and medical liaisons between the school, students, family, and health care providers. They act as educational catalysts by helping to promote, plan, and implement successful school-wide programs to improve learning readiness.

Each Seattle Public Schools' school nurse has completed a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing, holds a current Registered Nurse license, and is required to have a Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate. Many school nurses have advanced degrees and additional health education training. Seattle school nurses are also required to hold valid American Red Cross CPR and First Aid cards. Comprehensive preparation is increasingly important as more and more students are attending school with severe and/or life-threatening medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, and food allergies), injuries, or birth defects.