A framework for describing school nursing practice in the 21st century

Public health and school nurses work with diverse populations with distinct issues. Depending on the needs of the population, public/school nurses’ activities may differ across the country or even locally. With such autonomy and range, the role of school nurses may not be well understood both within and outside the profession. Concurrently, health care reform and expanded use of technology has changed the landscape of community-based care necessitating the need to clarify nursing roles. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) developed the Framework for 21^st Century School Nursing Practice to visually and conceptually depict the current role of the school nurse. At the core of the Framework are healthy students. Surrounding the students are five key principles that underlie all school nursing activities. These principles include: care coordination, leadership, quality improvement, public health, and standards of practice. The principles are connected by evidence-based practice. The Framework also includes and explains the key practice components within each of five principles. The Framework has been evaluated by experts in school nurses, practicing school nurses, and stakeholders to ensure accuracy, utility, consistency, and clarity. This presentation will share the Framework and discuss how it has helped practicing school nurses prioritize their practice and articulate what they do to professional colleagues and decision makers. Additional ideas of how the Framework can be used will also be discussed. Ultimately, the Framework provides a structured vision of how nurses working in the school setting ensure youth are safe, healthy and ready to learn.