Information for School Nurses from the Specialized Health Needs Interagency Collaboration (SHNIC)

A student’s health care is directly related to their ability to learn. Unmet health needs can challenge a student’s ability to engage in the educational process. The role of the school nurse includes both health and educational goals as they coordinate care of the student between the home, community, medical setting, and school.

SHNIC has developed several resources to prepare the school nurse as the leader of school health team. These resources can be used as a guide when providing direct care or nursing services, managing the health care plan, educating staff about emergency plans, identifying possible classroom accommodations for the student, as well as providing resources for parents for students with special health care needs.