School Health and Nursing Services
School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that fosters the growth, development, and educational achievement of students by promoting their health and wellness. School nursing has evolved over the years to include complex medical, social and behavioral needs requiring an expertise level of care and collaboration. School nurses provide various health services for students. The Lynn Public School Nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who must complete the licensure requirements set by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The role of the school nurse includes:
- Being the liaison between home, school, and community resources
- Assessing and treating illness
- Managing chronic conditions
- Providing emergency care
- Attending health related meetings such as 504, IEP, attendance, wellness, etc.
- Developing and implementing individualized health care plans, emergency action plans and evacuation plans
- Administering medications, treatments, and immunizations
- Educating students and families
- Training school staff in health and wellness; life-threatening allergies and EpiPen administration; medication delegation; stop the bleed; and seizure precautions
- Being a resource for staff in student health-related matters
- Reviewing emergency response plans, running drills and maintaining emergency equipment
- Maintaining student health records and assuring student health requirements are up-to date
- Completing mandated health screenings: vision, hearing, height, weight, postural & SBIRT
- Providing support and referral resources for children and their families
- Preparing and submitting MA DPH reports
The goal of the Lynn Public School Nurses is for every student to be healthy, safe, and ready to learn!
Please call your school nurse for any questions or concerns such as:
- New or change in medications*
- New health concern or diagnosis*
- Hospitalization, serious injury or illness*
- Any health condition, illness, or injury that may need accommodations, an individualized health care plan, emergency action plan or evacuation plan in school*
- Any health condition, illness, or injury that may need specific treatment by the school nurse in school*
- Diagnosis of a contagious disease such as chicken pox, whooping cough (pertussis), flu, Covid-19, etc.*
- Major life events or issues that may impact your child in school
- Need for health insurance or a primary care provider
- A doctor's note or medical orders may be required
Reference: National Association of School Nursing