School Nurses: An Indispensable Resource for Health Promotion in Ontario's Children and Adolescents

Abstract

School nurses play an important role in the promotion of physical, mental, and social health, as well as the prevention of disease and injury in school-aged children. Promotion of health is also a central goal of the Ontario government, and is codified in the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). Part I of this paper demonstrates that a reasonable interpretation of the HPPA supports the implementation of a robust school nurse program that can meet the health needs of children. Part II explores the shortcomings of current school health programs in Ontario and provides policy reasons that support a comprehensive school nurse program.  Part III identifies logistical barriers to the implementation of a school nurse program that need to be overcome in order to plan and provide adequate school nurse programs. A significant increase in the availability of school nurses is an optimal way to fulfill the Ontario government’s legislative objectives of protecting and promoting public health in its communities. The scope of practice of registered nurses places them in the best position to implement and ensure that the goals of the HPPA are met in Ontario’s schools.