School nurse leadership training: A community partnership for child health and wellness

With the increase in childhood obesity there is a growing recognition of the important role that schools can play in promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. As the only health professional in the school setting, school nurses are integral to child health promotion and advocacy for a healthy school environment. The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 created the opportunity for school nurses to take the lead in bringing the school community together to set standards for nutrition and physical activity at school. The legislation required each school district to form a wellness committee and draft district wellness policies by July 2006. The wellness policies are to address the quality of school foods, the frequency and intensity of physical education, recess policies and practices, and health education.

The Healthy Schools Campaign partnered with school nurse leaders and graduate nursing faculty to sponsor School Nurse Leadership Training. The workshops provided the opportunity for school nurses to work with consultants and mentors to enhance knowledge and skills in change theory, evidence based practice, advocacy and team building. Sessions were held three times over a 9 month period and included role playing, problem solving, locating evidence, and constructing a persuasive presentation. The school nurses created innovative programs and ongoing school community partnerships improving nutrition and physical activity outcomes of the school children they serve.

The three-part workshops will cover: research on the importance of the school setting to promote healthy eating and physical activity; examples of successful school-based interventions; how to implement wellness policies; skills for coalition building; presentation and meeting facilitation skills; evidence-based practice and change theory, and evaluation skills.