MO HCR8

School nursing practice began in the United States in 1902 to reduce absenteeism by addressing communicable disease concerns among students and families.

Professional school nurses today facilitate student health and academic success through seven identified roles including providing health care, leadership, screening and referral, promoting healthy environments, and serving as liaisons between schools, families, and health care providers.

A 2008 National Association of School Nurses survey found only 45% of public schools have full-time nurses, 30% have part-time nurses, and 25% have no nurses at all.

School nurses face increased pressures from overwhelming paperwork, administrative policies, diminishing budgets, and legal liability concerns that limit time and resources for quality student care.

The House recognizes the important health and educational services school nurses provide and urges every Missouri school district to compensate professional school nurses as like-degreed professionals.