The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights the crucial role school nurses play in keeping children healthy through an updated policy statement that outlines the need for full-time school nursing staff and support.
AAP has long recommended at least one registered school nurse per school, a place where children spend a majority of their time. The policy statement, "
Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health Services," publishing in the September 2026
Pediatrics, highlights the important role school nurses play in students’ overall health and wellness.
The growing role of school nurses in student health & safety
"School nurses have many roles that extend far beyond traditional health care," said Sonja O’Leary, MD, FAAP and lead policy author. "They manage communicable diseases like the flu, chronic conditions such as diabetes that require daily medication and emergencies—all while promoting safe, equitable learning environments."
School nurses work in intersecting areas that address direct care, care coordination, public health, leadership and quality improvement. They are essential partners in identifying and supporting students with mental health concerns, often becoming the first-line defense in the ongoing mental health crisis facing teens and young Americans today.
Yet many schools lack adequate nursing staff. The 2024 National School Nurse Workforce Study revealed that only 65.7% of schools offer access to full-time nurses, with significant disparities depending on school type geography, and socioeconomic factors. The lack of access is further magnified by the increasing healthcare needs of students and the growing demand that comes with it.
Partnerships between school nurses and pediatricians
The AAP recommends that children’s medical home extends beyond the pediatrician's office, with care coordination and connection between school nurses and student’s primary care providers. The AAP also calls for continued investment, stronger partnerships and policies to expand access and advance health equity. Pediatricians are also encouraged to advocate for strong integration of school health into training, daily practice and decision-making.
"Strong collaboration between school nurses and pediatricians not only improves health outcomes for students but also improves preventive care and academic outcomes as well," said policy co-author Linda Mendonca, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC, NCSN, FNASN. "A child is best able to learn when they are safe, healty and have their medical needs met."
"School nurses can be the bridge that makes a world of difference in a child’s health journey. Investing in school nursing is a direct investment in student safety, well-bein, and the ability to learn," Dr. O’Leary said. "We can help students make the best of their time in school by ensuring they are well-equipped and cared for in their roles."
Policy statements created by AAP are written by medical experts, reflect the latest evidence in the field, and go through several rounds of peer review before being approved by the AAP Board of Directors and published in Pediatrics.
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