[School nursing in Germany? - A review about tasks and roles of School Nurses]

Pflege. 2012 Apr;25(2):107-17. doi: 10.1024/1012-5302/a000186.
[Article in German]

Abstract

For many decades, nurses especially in Anglo-American and Scandinavian countries have operated as «School (Health) Nurses» and have supervised children and teenagers in all health-related matters. This review applies to the question which specific tasks and roles School Nurses fulfil in these countries and which of the tasks in Germany also could be carried out by adequately qualified nurses. 34 articles were found by systematic literature search which focused on general descriptions of the roles and tasks of School Nurses. Overall, eleven central fields of duties could be identified. They included the treatment of injuries, acute and chronic illnesses, emergency care, preventive and health-promoting activities, information, education and counselling, the assessment of health-related problems and needs, the development and implementation of appropriate services as well as the fields: communication, cooperation and management of supply. With a view to the positive international experiences, the implementation of School Nurses in Germany seems to be a promising approach to promote both health and educational goals. Therefore, an additional university qualification «School Nursing» based on the existing international curricula is required.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Curriculum
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Nurse's Role*
  • School Nursing / education*