May 6 is National School Nurse Day, giving us a chance to say “thank you” to our county school nurses for what they do to support education by ensuring our students are safe, healthy, and ready to learn… now more than ever before.
The theme for this year’s celebration— School Nurses: Supporting Students in Times of Crisis— recognizes the extraordinary circumstances facing our school communities this spring and the ways in which these health professionals are doing their part to support students and staff.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our county school nurses have worked with health partners to share guidance on what steps to take to slow the spread of illness. With this rapidly evolving situation, our nurses have worked with the Gwinnett County Health Department to support communication and to help develop recommendations, with updates from the state’s Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Our school nurses provide consultation and training on health-related issues for all students, serving on teams to support students with special needs and to help manage chronic health conditions. They connect providers, parents, and communities, working to boost wellness and advocating for the health needs of our students. A nurse’s clinical assessment and support allow schools to meet the health needs of students with chronic and acute health conditions during the school day. School nurses train staff to understand emergency signs and symptoms, and when and how to get help. Our nurses also oversee school AED (automated external defibrillator) programs, support immunization compliance, and aid in prevention efforts and response to communicable diseases. They work closely with school clinic staff to support student health services. The invaluable contribution of our local school clinic staff ensures that our schools can meet the daily health needs of our students.
For their work throughout the year, and especially in these times of crisis, we celebrate the contributions that school nurses are making to the health and learning of our students! Thank you!
#ThankAGCPSSchoolNurse