An Introduction to Community and Primary Health Care

Introduction

The health of students is closely linked to successful experiences in education. Health factors impact on young peoples’ ability to learn (Alexandropoulou, 2013; Mulaudzi & Peu, 2014) and, if managed appropriately, may also influence school attendance (Baisch, Lundeen & Murphy, 2011). In the same way, education also impacts on how people manage their health, and influences their selection of healthy behaviours and life choices (Alexandropoulou, 2013; Reutersward & Lagerstrom, 2010). The school nurse plays an important role in identifying and addressing health issues among students, as well as assisting students and their families to navigate educational and medical systems to optimise both health and educational outcomes (Baisch, Lundeen & Murphy, 2011; Guzys, Kenny & Bish, 2013; Mulaudzi & Peu, 2014). The school nurse is also recognised internationally as playing an important part in contributing to the prevention of health risks among children and youth (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015).

In Australia and New Zealand, the school nurse is a registered nurse who works in a range of education settings, including government and independent schools and colleges, and across all age groups from pre-schoolers to tertiary students (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation [ANMF], 2012; Ministry of Health, 2009). The school nurse works with individual students, families or groups, and liaises with diverse stakeholders across the school and broader community to respond to local community needs and national health directives (Guzys, Kenny & Bisch, 2013). While there is currently no formal postgraduate qualification to prepare nurses to work in a school (Guzys, Kenny & Bisch, 2013), the role incorporates a primary health care focus within the child and adolescent health specialty.

The role of the school nurse

There are differences in the structure of school nursing programs across geographic regions within and between countries (Coates, 2011; Maenpaa, Paavilainen & Astedt-Kurki, 2013; Ministry of Health, 2009; Mulaudzi & Peu, 2014; Reutersward & Lagerstrom, 2010). These differences require school nurses to have skills and experience relevant to the different models, the age group of students and expectations of the stakeholders. Despite the differences there are many commonalities, with school nurses being involved in ‘primary health care, cultural competence, early detection and early intervention, health promotion, prevention, health education, chronic condition management, environmental health and safety, emergency/crisis management, first aid, sports health, health counselling, service delivery and resource management’ (ANMF, 2012, p. 11).