The purpose of the school based youth health nurse (established in Queensland in 1998) is to promote the health and wellbeing of the school through the health promoting schools initiative.
Areas of particular interest for students include: mental health, safe choices/sun safety, sexuality and relationships, nutrition, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, healthy lifestyle/physical activity, personal and family problems.
The role of a school based youth health nurse includes:
Health promotion through in-service provision for staff, displays, participation in curriculum development, education/discussion forums for parents and health education as part of a team teaching approach in a classroom setting for students.
Illness prevention – may involve individual consultations with students in a confidential setting to discuss issues affecting their wellbeing and connecting that person with the appropriate external community service.
Supporting the school to use a whole-school approach to health promotion.
As the school nurse is not employed in a clinical capacity they do not provide treatments e.g.: medications, injections, first-aid, physical examinations, ongoing counselling for psychological or educational problems.
The school nurse welcomes all health/wellness related queries and the opportunity to interact with students, staff and families in the classroom, group setting or on an individual basis. Referrals of students, parents or staff can be written or verbal and can be made by individuals or by others.
Available: Monday and Wednesday.