Open AccessInnovation and effectiveness: changing the scope of school nurses in New Zealand secondary schools
Author(s) -
Kool Bridget,
Thomas David,
Moore Dennis,
Anderson Angelika,
Bennetts Phillipa,
Earp Karlynne,
Dawson Dianne,
Treadwell Nicky
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2008.00197.x
Subject(s) - scope (computer science) , medicine , medical education , computer science , programming language
Objective:To describe the changing role of school nurses in eight New Zealand (NZ) secondary schools from low socio‐economic areas with high Pacific Island and Māori rolls.Methods:An evaluation of a pilot addressing under‐achievement in low‐decile schools in Auckland, NZ (2002‐05). Annual semi‐structured school nurse interviews and analysis of routinely collected school health service data were undertaken.Results:Two patterns of school nurse operation were identified: an embracing pattern, where nurses embraced the concept of providing school‐based health services; and a Band‐Aid pattern, where only the basics for student health care were provided by school nurses.Conclusions and Implications:School nurses with an embracing pattern of practice provided more effective school‐based health services. School health services are better served by nurses with structured postgraduate education that fosters the development of a nurse‐practitioner role. Co‐ordination of school nurses either at a regional or national level is required.