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.
Additionally, students of all ages need to learn to safely manage any health condition. Students need to be able to ask questions, gain skills, and become confident with their own health in order to manage and succeed in school-related activities and events. Before a field trip, for example, I can coach a student who has a severe food allergy to ask his
teacher which chaperone will be carrying his epinephrine injector in case s/he needs it.
As students grow, learn about their bodies, and acquire healthy habits, they are laying the foundation of basic wellness that will help guide them through life. To become a good self-advocate, I see students gain confidence, intelligence and model appropriate behavior for others.
Have a question for me? Drop me a line!
As a school nurse I am so happy to be in a position to be an integral part of helping students learn to advocate for themselves. Partnering together with parents and students ensures best outcomes for our kids.
Jennifer Conway, BSN, RN, is a mother of three and is the school nurse at Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware.
