Mrs Lisa Evans1, Mrs Jenny Garnsey1
1DoE, , Australia
Abstract
School nursing has undergone considerable change from the old School Nurse role many of us would remember from our own school days. The School Health Nurse role brings primary health care to young people and their families within school communities throughout Tasmania. While School Health Nurses remain within their scope of practice, the role varies from school to school depending on the needs of the school community. The School Health Nurses provide clinical assessment, early detection and intervention, screening, health education / information, short term support and appropriate referral working within a student and family-friendly client-centred approach. They work with schools and colleges to improve the health and wellbeing of students and families through a health promoting culture. Working within the primary health care arena has been a challenging change for many nurses who have come from the acute care nursing sector, added to this is the challenge of working within individual schools – some have up to six schools – each with their own culture and expectations. School Health Nurses work closely with a range of staff including Senior Leadership, teachers, office staff, teacher assistants and other support staff within the school, in addition to networking and referring to community-based service providers.
To demonstrate this, our presentation will focus on our individual journeys since commencing with the School Health Nurse Program and a day in the life of a School Health Nurse.
Biography:
Lisa Evans has been a registered nurse for 18 years. Originally from Wales, UK, she moved to Tasmania in 2012 joining the School Health Nurse Program in January 2017. Lisa’s experience is largely in emergency and school health nursing. Lisa has post graduate qualifications and a portfolio on domestic violence. When she’s not working Lisa enjoys time with her family, crocheting and reading.