Ice packs, band-aids, fevers, upset stomachs—I do it all!
But the one part of school nursing that I find most rewarding is helping students become their own health advocates. The path to self-advocacy varies with each individual student and, of course, by age. A school nurse has the opportunity to be an extension of the lessons learned at home in order to help lay a solid foundation of health and wellness for our children.
In the elementary school years, the school nurse can reinforce the value of proper hygiene, good nutrition, sufficient sleep, and physical activity among young children. These are necessary not only to achieve success in their academic journey, but to foster healthy peer relationships.
During adolescence, students gain more independence at home and at school. They need to have adults they trust for guidance to make good choices. As I get to know students through my work, I can become one of those trusted adults who can offer recommendations to help a student advocate for themselves with their parents, teachers, and coaches.
