School health services staff can help all students with preventive care such as flu shots, vision and hearing screening, and acute and emergency care. School health services staff also are responsible for coordinating care by communicating with the student’s family and health care providers so that they can stay healthy and ready to learn. The US CDC model for school health services shows how school health services use various methods to support students.
School nurses, the foundation of school health services, are licensed healthcare professionals working in educational settings and play a vital role in student success. They incorporate standards of nursing practice, coordination of care, leadership, and public health into schools on a daily basis.
School nurses straddle two statutory and regulatory frameworks: health and education. Because school nurses practice nursing in an educationally focused system, they face unique legal, policy, funding, and supervisory issues with unique ethical dimensions.
The National Association of School Nurses has developed a Code of Ethics for school nurses based on the American Nurses Association Center for Ethics and Human Rights.
This is intended to provide guidance for school nursing practice and can inform school health services about:
- Current resources from DOE as well as national organizations
- Sample protocols or procedures related to the health of students
- Resources to enhance school nursing practice
Guidelines for School Health Services
Resources
- Agency Nurses in the School Setting
- Community Care Referral Form
- Family Engagement
- Maine DOE Interpretation & Translation
- Maine DOE LGBTQ+ Resources
- Maine Prevention Store
- Rule Chapters for the Department of Education
- Sample Forms & Templates
- School Health Advisory Committee
- School Health Associates: School Nurse Procedures
- Toileting Resources
- Translated Health Information - National Library of Information
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN), a non-profit specialty nursing organization, aims to optimize student health and learning by advancing school nursing practice.
The National Association of School Nurses introduces the new framework, illustrating key principles of nursing practice in the school health office and supporting NASN's advocacy of utilizing evidence-based practice.
Reprinted with permission by the National Association of School Nurses
NASN Framework Introductory Video
Links to organizations and resources are for reference and information only and do not imply endorsement by the Maine Department of Education.
Contact
Emily Poland, MPH, RN, NCSN
School Nurse Consultant
Coordinated School Health Team Leader
Email: emily.poland@maine.gov