More than 640,000 children attend South Carolina’s public schools. Each child has a right to a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. In every school there are children in the best of health and children who are challenged by various health conditions . Fortunately, medical and technological advances now make it possible for many children with chronic health conditions and physical challenges to learn in the same classrooms as other children.
In addition to providing a rigorous academic environment for all students, schools should promote healthy lifestyle choices, help identify and locate services for students with health conditions that may affect learning, and they should meet the health requirements of children with acute and chronic medical needs during the school day. School nurses help make the provision of health services in a school setting easier and safer for both students and staff.
"School nursing is a specialized practice of nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses:
- facilitate positive student responses to normal development;
- promote health and safety;
- intervene with actual and potential health problems;
- provide case management services; and
- actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning” (National Association of School Nurses, 1999).
If you have questions or comments about the information found on this page, please contact S.C. DHEC’s Division of Women and Children’s Services. Phone: (803) 898-0767