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School Nursing and School Health Programs


Oregon School Nursing and School Health Programs

School nurse roles and responsibilities

A shared understanding of school nursing services can improve integration of nurses into school communities and improve support for Oregon students. 

A school nurse is a licensed health professional: a registered nurse (RN) working in a school setting whose primary role supports foundational school health services. Many foundational services are legally required, and are essential for student safety and equitable access to education. For example, school nurses conduct and coordinate care for students with special health care needs; train school staff on individual student care and school-wide health protocols; and work with school teams to promote wellness for school communities. 

School nurses support, and often lead, multidisciplinary teams providing holistic care. School nursing services may also be provided by Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) under RN clinical supervision. Nursing care in Oregon schools is often supported by unlicensed and unregulated assistive personnel (UAP), such as school secretaries and classroom aides. School health services also include specialized health professionals such as physical and occupational therapists and mental health providers. 

SHINE for Student Health

The School Health Improvement and Nursing Enhancement (SHINE) program provides technical assistance and grant funding to Oregon school districts and education services districts working to make school nursing programs effective and equitable. Collaborative efforts to “SHINE for student health" improve young people's opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

In the 2024-2025 school year, SNPP efforts will move out of the Pilot Program phase and continue under the program title “School Health Improvement and Nursing Enhancement: SHINE For Student Health."

  • 2025 SHINE Scan & Plan Toolkit PDF Word
    • SHINE Toolkit resources help school teams conduct evaluations and plan interventions.  

Oregon School Nurse Survey

These reports share findings from the Oregon School Nurse Surveys conducted by the Oregon Health Authority, Adolescent and School Health Unit in 2021 and 2023. Out of approximately 400 registered nurses working in Oregon schools, close to 250 RNs responded to each of these surveys, from over 80 school districts in over 25 counties. Survey responses may increase understanding of the school nurse role in Oregon, and inform efforts to improve school nursing services, student wellbeing and academic success.

School nursing legislation and statewide efforts

Senate Bill 698 (2015) created the Task Force on School Nursing in response to continued concerns over the level of school nursing support provided to Oregon students. The Task Force was charged with providing recommendations for the future funding of health services in schools. One of the outcomes of this Taskforce was a School Medicaid Billing Pilot overseen by Oregon Department of Education (ODE).

The same bill created the position of the State School Nurse Consultant at OHA. The position outlines duties that promote inter-agency collaboration, direct support for nurses in schools, and coordinated school health efforts in schools and districts. Many of these duties are performed in collaboration with ODE.



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