The Benefits of Intentional Nurse Rounds in Schools

Abstract

Nurse rounds have long been an established practice in clinical settings, resulting in improved patient care through accurate assessment, evaluation, and communication. This practice has also been shown to create seamless patient-centered care among the medical team, the patient, and their family members. While nurse rounds are an important component of clinical care, school nurses have not adopted this practice. Rather, school nurses utilize the School Nurse Practice Framework. This Framework guides school nurses in promoting student health and academic success in a safe school environment. While the Framework provides guidance in how school nurses can achieve successful care coordination by prioritizing relationship building and professional practice, the incorporation of school nursing rounds complements the Framework principles and provides proactive student support and elevates school nursing practice and visibility. When school nurses approach nursing rounds intentionally, data showed that health office visits decreased, relationships improved among students and teachers, and the school nurse became a visible and important part of the school community. This article highlights how nurse rounds were integrated into one school setting and reports on the benefits associated with this practice.