The Monkey Tree

If you think back to your school days most of us would associate a school nurse with dealing with those little head lice creatures and for jabbing you with a needle at various stages of our development.  In reality their role is much more involved in dealing with a broad health agenda.  Wendy, Maria & Julie, School Nurses based at Rectory Lane Health Centre Loughton explain the role.

Q: Where do School Nurses work?
A: School Nurses work in their allocated schools, where they work with children from 5 to 18 years of age.  They also run clinics in the community and visit children and their families at home.

Q: What do School Nurses do in school?
A: An excellent question!  Fortunately they don’t do sick buckets and plasters.
With parents consent, the school nurse will check a child’s height, weight, vision and hearing.  This is an important health assessment, as any impairment in a child’s hearing or vision can impact on their enjoyment and progress in school.

Often parents are concerned about their child’s growth. The School Nurse is an ideal person to help with the ‘faddy eater’ and the overweight child.
They hold fun sessions in schools, making fruit smoothies and tempting the children with ‘healthy options’ for snacks and lunch boxes. They have great leaflets (written by them) to jazz up the packed lunch.  If you would like a copy  just ask for the School Nurse!

Puberty can be a confusing time for parent and child alike, regular puberty sessions are held usually in Years 6 and 7 to discuss and explore emotional and physical changes.  Pupils also have the opportunity to ask questions – within reason!
School Nurses do have a public health role.  They are proactive and reactive in preventing childhood illness.  This is advised by the schools immunisation programme.
Teenagers (sometimes thought of as aliens by some!) can be a challenge.  In secondary schools School Nurses hold sessions and workshops on self -esteem, risk taking behaviour, stop smoking, sexual health and emotional well being, just to mention a few.
Most secondary schools have a School Nurse ‘Drop-In’ where young people can discuss issues in a confidential setting.

Q: How do the community clinics work?
A: School Nurses hold an enuresis (bed-wetting) clinic.  Parents can phone for an appointment or the GP can refer to the clinic.  This clinic offers bed alarms, help, advice and support for children where bed-wetting is an on-going problem.  Bed-wetting doesn’t tend to be talked about at the school gates but it is a very common problem that can cause misery and a worn out parent and washing machine so do give the School Nurses a call.

School Nurses also hold a young peoples clinic with regular sessions and a ‘drop-in’ service. This clinic offers the opportunity for young people to access information, help and advice on a variety of subjects in a confidential setting.
The clinic is used to meet parents and children who wish to discuss any physical, emotional or behavioural concerns.  If preferred, School Nurses are happy to see parents in their own homes.
So remember, School Nurses work for your children. If you are worried or you would like to talk through a concern then please contact your School Nurse.  School Nurses work independently but they are part of a much larger team including Paediatricians (children’s doctors), Audiologists (Hearing specialists), Speech and Language Therapists, and GPs to name but a few.

If you would like any advice from a School Nurse, please ask for a contact number at school and if they are not able to help you with your problem they will be able to put you in touch with someone who can.