School nursing in regional and rural Queensland

The importance of school health and school health nursing (SHN) continues to be acknowledged within Australia and internationally. Since its inception in Queensland in 1911, SHN has been regarded as an important innovation in public health nursing, particularly in regional and rural settings. A number of issues that have an impact on the ongoing development and effectiveness of the SHN role can be identified from the available literature, including a lack of standardized position descriptions and corresponding role and function of SHNs; and a lack of overall understanding of and evidence to support the depth and breadth of SHN scope of practice. These factors, in turn, hinder greater recognition and support for the SHN role. Such factors also affect the ability of SHN roles to address key policy and program initiatives in rural and regional areas.