What is a School nurse?
A School Nurse is a registered nurse who has undertaken further study at degree level specialising in public health. A school nurse will lead a team of qualified nurses, nursery nurses and support workers. There are 8 of these teams in Somerset.
School nurses understand the cultures of both Education and Health and provide a link between school, home and the community for the benefit of the child or young person. The school nurses participate in the larger health campaigns and health promotion topics but also carry a large individual caseload of work generated by schools.
School nurses provide confidential advice, care and treatment to children and young people working with parents and carers within schools and other community settings.
What does a School nurse do?
A school nurse aims to:
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Promote public health
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Safeguard children from harm
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Provide health education
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Participate in National Campaigns
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Immunise children
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Promote healthy lifestyles
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Reduce risk taking behaviour
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Improve health outcomes for the school age population
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Provide school based health clinics
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Work with young people who have Special Medical needs
School nurses provide a Young People's Clinic in most secondary schools which is a drop in service provision and is often the first point of contact for children, young people and parents or carers needing health advice.
School nurses work individually with children and families, support teachers in health-related topics and classroom teaching and support pupils with chronic health problems.
School Nurses respond to Government and local health improvement plans and targets such as reducing teenage pregnancy rates and are currently undertaking an immunisation programme for young women against cervical cancer. They also contribute to the Safeguarding of children.
