Education Celebrates School Nurse Day

April 30, 2010

The Michigan State Board of Education has declared May 5, 2010, as School Nurse Day.  The School Nurse Day initiative encourages schools and communities to recognize school nurses for the impact they have on children and the valuable and meaningful contributions they offer schools on a daily basis.
 
"Their efforts to improve the overall health and well-being of Michigan's children are worthy of the highest recognition and praise," said State Board of Education President, Kathleen N. Straus.  "Their dedication, nurturing care, and professional expertise are very much appreciated."

"School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that maximizes each child's potential to learn and grow," according to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.  
 
"They can be an invaluable member of the education team and continue to adapt to an ever-expanding role providing high quality health care, counseling, and educational services in the school environment that includes preventative health care, environmental health and safety, and school and community health programs," Flanagan said.
 
School nurses support the needs of students and reduce barriers to learning by facilitating positive student responses to normal development; promoting health and safety; intervening with actual and potential health problems; providing case management services; and actively collaborating with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.  In general, school nursing advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students.