Changing Role of School Nurses

by Alex A. Kecskes

School nurses do more than dispense aspirin or slap Band-Aids on skinned knees. Among the many challenges they face is an epidemic of childhood obesity, which continues to threaten the health of children and adolescents.

School nurses must identify individual students at risk for obesity through careful BMI (Body Mass Index) screening and to develop intervention programs that promote healthful eating.

In addition, school nurses are tasked with implementing a number of programs in health instruction and to "enroll" both student and parent to achieve positive changes in health behavior. This may include changes in school lunch and breakfast programs as well as healthful snack options being offered at the school. It may also include programs during recess that promote healthful exercise to keep children active. Some specific steps taken by school nurses may include:

• Screen students for height, weight and BMI-for-age
• Use the CDC growth charts to record BMI-for-age
• Educate parents about BMI
• Maintain students’ confidentiality
• Counsel parents and students in health planning
• Provide resources for students, families and staff to promote nutrition and physical activity
• Encourage school boards to provide only nutritional foods for school meals and snacks
• Educate the PTO and other after school entities to discourage the serving of foods of limited nutritional value
• Discourage the marketing of poor nutritional value foods on school premises
• Provide health education materials to the school community to foster the concept of fitness and good nutrition
• Improve students' accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables

For an added perspective, check out the video, The Life of a School Nurse? Busy.

On a personal note, I have noticed fewer candy bar and soft drink vending machines at schools in my neighborhood. Back when I went to school, vending machines dispensed apples, oranges, milk and orange juice.

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.