School Nursing - 100 Years Old and Still Going Strong!

School Nurses in America continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their special practice. In October 1902, Lina Rogers, a Registered Nurse from the Henry Street Settlement in NYC became the first school nurse in the United States. After one year, absenteeism due to communicable disease was drastically reduced. The success of this program led to the employment of school nurses across the country. School Nurses today have an expanded and varied role in the school system.
Today’s school nurse provides:

• identification, assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of student health concerns – both mental and physical
• illness and injury assessment
• screening for health factors impacting student academic achievement
• specialized nursing procedures (catheterizations, ventilator care, gastrostomy feedings
• medication administration
• crisis team participation
• individualized healthcare plans for students with disabilities or health conditions
• education to promote health
• liaison between school, community, health care providers

What began 100 years ago as an experimental program of one nurse, has become “a specialized practice of professional nursing that advanced the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students.” (NASN definition)

THE SCHOOL NURSE IS EDUCATION’S HEALTH EXPERT!
EVERY CHILD NEEDS A SCHOOL NURSE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCHOOL NURSING