Redesigning School Health Rooms as Safe Places for Elementary and Junior High School Students: Discussion Based on Interviews at Regional Middle-to-Small Schools

Key Points

• This research aims to explore how school health rooms can be redesigned to provide emotional support for students.
• Interviews conducted with school nurses at four regional middle-to-small schools.
• Analysis of the functions of school health rooms beyond medical care.
• Examination of the emotional caregiving roles of school nurses.
• Health rooms identified as a third safe space for students, beyond home and school.
• Students value health rooms for emotional support from school nurses.
• School nurses are perceived as non-judgmental figures who provide a listening ear for students.