Unsung Healthcare Heroes for Children

Schools play a vital role in communities by supporting the health, well-being, and development of children. This commentary explores the perspective of school nurses, who are frequently the sole medical providers responsible for the health of hundreds to thousands of children across multiple schools. They play a critical role in identifying medical and social issues, dealing with pushback when enforcing health protocols, and providing life-saving care under challenging conditions. Examples of their work include managing chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, conducting contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating legal and ethical dilemmas. The narratives in this issue of NIB, written by school nurses, cover several important themes. The authors discuss the challenges they face while maintaining health and safety amid limited resources, the impact of understaffing, and the importance of following the guidance of their professional code of ethics. The integration of school-based health centers (SBHCs) can provide a significant benefit to school nurses and the school community, by improving access to routine and acute care, particularly for families with limited resources.