Where Health Meets Learning: Honoring the Impact of School Nurses

On any given school day, a student might visit the health room at school with a scraped knee, a headache, or something more serious like trouble breathing, or a condition that requires immediate medical attention. No matter the issue, school nurses found in our health rooms treat students with care, expertise and compassion.   

In honor of National School Nurse Day on May 6, we recognize the extraordinary role school nurses play in ensuring students are healthy, safe and ready to learn. 

“Most people still picture a school nurse handing out ice packs or placing a Band-Aid; and while those moments do happen, they’re just a very small part of the day,” said Director of Health Services Laura Carmichael. “What people don’t often see is the level of clinical care and decision-making happening behind the scenes.” 

Every day, school nurses across the district manage a wide range of student health needs, and at the same time, they are often a first line of support for students experiencing mental health challenges.  

“On any day, a nurse might be handling a medical emergency, administering medications, supporting a student in distress, communicating with health care providers, and coordinating care with families,” Carmichael said. “It requires constant prioritization, strong clinical judgment, and a deep understanding of each student’s unique needs.” 

Across the district, 28 school nurses, many serving multiple schools, support thousands of students each day. Together, they manage more than 1,600 life-threatening health care plans and care for nearly 16,000 students with chronic health conditions, ranging from asthma to gastrointestinal and skin conditions. 

This work is made possible, in part, through local support. Eight nurse and health room specialist positions are funded through voter-approved levy dollars, an investment that helps ensure students have access to care during the school day. 

In addition to providing direct care, school nurses also play a critical role in removing barriers that can prevent students from fully participating in school. “One of the things I’m most proud of in our district is the long-standing history of the school nurses removing barriers for students who need extra support,” Carmichael said. 

That commitment led to the creation of the ISD Nurses Fund, which began with a single nurse (and the first nurse in the district in the 1970s), Betty Brown, purchasing items for students out of her own pocket. Today, the fund continues that legacy, providing essential support to students and families in need. 

“This fund gives our nurses the ability to step in when a student doesn’t have what they need to be successful at school,” Carmichael said. 

Support can take many forms, from helping cover the cost of medical care to providing clothing, household essentials, or assistance purchasing gas. The fund also ensures students in need have access to vision care, covering exams and glasses so they can fully engage in their learning. 

Last school year alone, the ISD Nurses Fund supported approximately 68 students and their families. 

“It’s not just about providing resources; it’s about making sure a student’s health needs don’t stand in the way of their education,” Carmichael said. 

As student needs have evolved, so has the role of the school nurse. “We’ve seen a noticeable shift in student health needs over the years,” Carmichael said. School nurses are doing more care coordination, case management and more collaboration with medical providers and school teams. “There are more students with complex and chronic health conditions in schools than ever before. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in mental and emotional health needs.”  

That commitment to access is also reflected in the district’s growing efforts to provide school-based vaccine clinics. “When we bring vaccines into schools, we meet families where they are,” Carmichael said. “It becomes easier, more accessible, and more equitable and all barriers are eliminated.” 

By offering vaccines directly at school, nurses are helping protect not only individual students, but the broader community, reducing the risk of outbreaks and helping keep students in the classroom. “I hosted a vaccine clinic at BLMS (Beaver Lake Middle School) and we were able to administer vaccines to eight students who, for a variety of reasons, had barriers to receiving vaccines on their own,” Beaver Lake Middle School nurse Kerri Whitworth said. “It was such a pleasure to be a part of a program that will have a lasting impact on the lives and health of several students and families in our community.” 

Carmichael noted that for students, health and learning are deeply connected. “Students can’t fully engage in their education if their health needs aren’t met.” School nurses work every day to build trusted relationships, and when they notice something isn’t right and step in with care and expertise. 

During routine vision assessments this year, “I was able to identify many students who were also in need of significant dental care,” shared Issaquah Valley Elementary nurse Analise Martin. “I made referrals to community partners, and these students were able to get the care they needed.” Additionally, “through our partners I was able to provide tooth brushing kits to all (kindergarten through third) graders,” she added. 

Students can’t fully engage in their education if their health needs aren’t met. Whether it’s a chronic condition like asthma or a seizure disorder or diabetes, a mental health concern, or not having access to glasses or medication, these barriers matter.  These barriers affect a child's ability to engage with friends, participate in sports or engage with their teachers, and access their education.  “Our school nurses work every day to remove those barriers,” Carmichael said. They are not just supporting health, they are supporting a student’s ability to show up, feel safe, and succeed in school.” 

On National School Nurse Day, and every day, we are grateful for the compassion, skill and dedication our school nurses bring to our schools and our community. 

In the photo above is Maywood Middle School Nurse Nina O'Brien. For more photos, please visit our social media platforms on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.