Trained to handle everything from minor bumps to medical emergencies, school nurses have a vital part in keeping your child safe and healthy throughout the school year. “Our role is to help kids stay in school and be present to learn every day,” says Robin Cogan, RN, NCSN, a New Jersey school nurse and clinical coordinator at Rutgers School of Nursing-Camden. “We don’t want kids to miss anything.”
While you may not realize it, school nurses are certified, just like teachers. A New Jersey certified school nurse (NJ-CSN) or national certified school nurse (NCSN) must complete specific educational and continuing education requirements and be licensed by the NJ Board of Nursing and the Department of Education.
School nurses typically are the only healthcare providers in the school for the students, teachers, visitors and other staff. Most—though not all—schools have full-time school nurses. “Ask if yours has a nurse in the building all day, every day,” says Eileen Gavin, FNP, NCSN, president of the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. “Sometimes nurses serve multiple schools. You can approach your school’s Board of Education to express your concerns that the school be staffed appropriately.”
Here’s what school nurses say will help parents prepare kids for a safe, healthy school year:
GET YOUR KIDS TO BED ON TIME
It’s tough to adjust to a new year after a summer of late nights and sleeping in, but sleepy kids can’t learn. “Manage what’s in their rooms so you can limit screen time,” says Gavin.
MAKE SURE KIDS HAVE BREAKFAST
Hungry kids aren’t going to be able to focus, so get kids to eat before they come to class, says Gavin. Set up the night before so it’s one less thing to do in the morning. For teens, send protein bars or cheese sticks in their backpacks if they don’t feel like eating right away.
ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL NURSE
Meet your school nurse on Back to School Night. Ask about how health-related issues are communicated, and what your preference is if you need to be contacted. “For example, do you want to know any time your child sets foot in the school nurse’s office, or only for serious conditions?” says Gavin.
COMMUNICATE YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH CONDITIONS
This includes any condition for which your child may need emergency medication, such as diabetes, asthma, food sensitivity or allergy, or a bee sting allergy. “Your child’s school nurse is the connection to develop evidence-based emergency action plans for these types of conditions and to share them with the staff,” says Gavin.
SEND IN THEIR MEDICATIONS ON TIME
Medications should be available for use on the first day of school. If your child needs an EpiPen, make sure you send two of them. “These come in boxes of two, so sometimes parents think it’s okay to keep one at home and one at school, but sometimes a child needs both pens when experiencing a reaction,” says Cogan.
MAKE SURE PAPERWORK IS UPDATED ANNUALLY
The new school year officially begins on July 1, so resubmit any forms before the first day of school every year. Also, be aware that while sports physicals are good for one year, there’s a health update required quarterly, says Cogan.
DOUBLE-CHECK EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO
Ensure your cell phone number and email address are correct (and that messages aren’t going to spam). Also, confirm that everyone on the school pickup list still is accurate. “Sometimes these important details get overlooked,” says Cogan.
BOOK A WELLNESS VISIT WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN
Kids who are new to any New Jersey school district require an entry physical. For all kids, immunizations should be updated. If your child is just starting daycare, be aware that children ages 6 months to 59 months need proof of a flu shot every year by December 31, says Cogan.
TALK WITH THE SCHOOL NURSE ABOUT ANY FAMILY CONCERNS
Sometimes kids complain of physical symptoms, such as a headache or stomachache, when they’re actually upset about something, such as a death of a loved one or pet, divorce, or other family event. “You can share whatever you feel is important if it impacts your child’s ability to flourish in school,” says Cogan.
CHECK IN WITH THE NURSE ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH, TOO
“About 35 percent of visits to the school nurse were about mental health pre-pandemic,” says Gavin. “This has increased significantly post-pandemic.” Gavin says many school nurses can offer support by connecting kids with a school counselor or offering other resources, such as teaching mindfulness techniques and other coping strategies.
TEACH YOUR CHILD RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE
This includes: teaching kids to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, throwing away used tissues, and coughing or sneezing into your elbow, not your hands, says Cogan. Remind them about proper handwashing, too (sing “Happy Birthday” or “Row Your Boat” twice, while scrubbing the tops and bottoms of hands and between fingers).
KEEP KIDS HOME WHEN THEY’RE SICK
It’s tough to miss work, so have a plan in place if your child is ill and can’t go to school, says Gavin. Know what your school’s stay-home policy is. For example, for certain cases such as vomiting or diarrhea two or more times in the past 24 hours, fevers of 100.4 degrees F or higher, contagious skin infections, pink eye, and extreme sore throat and fever, you should contact your pediatrician and keep kids home.
—Arricca Elin SanSone is a New York-based health and lifestyle writer.
