Schools are ideal places to reach children of all ages. Because a child’s health and learning are linked, a child cannot learn when they are not healthy or when their health concerns interrupt their ability to concentrate and learn. Health, as a state of well-being, is influenced by many factors in every school setting. Frequently, the physical aspect is identified in the health status of the student, but the mental and emotional health component receives little attention. A mentally healthy child develops a positive self-image, a sense of identity, an accurate perception of reality, and problem-solving ability to meet the situation demands of daily living. Socialization and nurturing begins with the child’s family and continues to develop as the child’s world expands into the school setting. Significant adults, other than parents, and a peer group beyond the child’s siblings, contribute to learning how to live and relate with the ideals and values of society.

School health services, as provided by a certified school nurse, supplement the efforts of parents and health care providers to maintain and promote the health of students. The School health services do not replace the parent’s responsibility for obtaining health care or the provider’s responsibility for administering care.

The certified school nurse has the educational preparation to assume the independent, responsible role required in school health services. Unlike nurses providing supervised direct care in a hospital setting, school nurses function as school team members to assist each student to optimal achievable health.