Guardians of health: School nurses and their leadership roles in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in education

Abstract

This study investigated school health nurses’ critical role and importance in managing infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had negative impacts on schools and educational institutions. In light of these impacts, the assistance of school health nurses in overcoming difficulties in accessing health services for students and their families was examined globally. The study aimed to explore the status of school nursing practices in various countries in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, assess the situation in Turkey, and examine how these nurses contribute to health management in educational settings. To identify pertinent literature, relevant publications were reviewed using key terms such as ‘school nursing,’ ‘infectious disease management,’ ‘COVID-19,’ ‘safe school,’ and ‘public health’. The search focused on studies analysing the role of school health nurses during the pandemic. Sources included academic databases, public health reports, and public health organisation publications. Due to the lack of precise data on the employment of school health nurses in Turkey, specific information on their role during the pandemic could not be found. However, the relevant literature was comprehensively reviewed, and the study analysed global publications highlighting the critical role of school nurses in managing infectious diseases in educational settings. The study highlights that school health nurses play significant roles in preventing and controlling communicable diseases and contribute notably to health education for students and staff during the pandemic. School health nurses protect children and adolescents’ physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Findings suggest that structural changes in health and education systems are needed to enhance the effectiveness of school nurses. This study underscores the critical importance of school health nurses in pandemic management and public health protection. Strengthening their role is vital for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in schools and ensuring the well-being of students. Recommendations include increasing the employment of school health nurses, improving their professional development, and integrating their expertise into pandemic management strategies.