Besides cleaning up the occasional cut or putting a bandage on a kindergartner's finger, elementary school nurses provide many additional health services. They are the keeper of prescription medications, which certain children need to take during the course of the day. On campuses that enroll children with special needs, the school nurse might have to catheterize a student, shower a student or clean a feeding tube. Beyond these daily responsibilities, an elementary school nurse has a deadline each year to complete hearing and vision exams for every student at the school.
Elementary school nurses are responsible for health education throughout the school environment. This may include educating young girls about menstruation and talking to children about healthy eating and nutrition. They may also provide programs to families and community members on maintaining good health. If a child has head lice, it is the school nurse who not only communicates with the family but who can teach the family how to treat the problem.
The school nurse is also a counselor. She provides a kind ear to students who just need to talk and listens to parents who need advice regarding the health of their children. The school nurse is responsible for keeping a variety of resources available for parents on physiological and psychological topics. The school nurse is often consulted in cases of possible child abuse and is often the first to contact social services about suspected abuse.
An elementary school nurse often needs to know how to help students and their families access social services. She may be a provider of clothing to students in need and may work with the local food bank to help families in need. A school nurse may also accompany a school official on a home visit.