III. The School Nurse
As the only member of the health profession in schools and possessing a background in medicine, nursing and education, School Nurses bring a unique multidisciplinary approach to health promotion and to health-related problems.
School Nurses are essential members of the professional educational staff which is charged with implementing the district's educational program.
| "The school nurse is a licensed, Registered Professional Nurse (RN) whose practice focuses on the health care need of clients in the larger school-community. The school nurse may practice in school-based, school linked, or collaborative school health programs." (American Nurses Association, 1983). |
Licensure for the nurse indicates a social contract with the public. Thus all school nurses are subject to Nebraska's nurse practice act (71-1,132.04 to 71-1,132.53) which regulates nursing practice to protect the consumer.
The Nebraska Board of Nursing is responsible for providing for the health, safety, and welfare of the public; therefore, the Board approves nursing programs, and licenses those nurses who meet the standards of proficiency and competency which qualify them to serve the public safely.
Nurses' licenses must be renewed biennially.
