There are 86,000 public schools in the United States. There are 48 million students in the United States. There are 20 million students with chronic health conditions in the United States.
School nurses are often the only primary care providers that children see on a regular basis.
Children who used to stay at home when ill now attend school because both parents work. Many children with severe health problems who used to be enrolled in special schools or receive tutoring are now enrolled in classes with healthier children. School nurses don't just dole out bandages any more. School nurses administer medication and monitor medication response, respiratory status, seizure patterns, and blood glucose levels. School nurses monitor students for parasites, skin infections, infectious diseases, and sexual and physical abuse.