Only 700 school nurses are supporting 1.5 million Michigan students, roughly one school nurse for every 2,142 students

LANSING, Mich. — Health and education leaders today gathered to urge school administrators to prioritize hiring school nurses, who play a critical role in supporting student well-being. With 600,000 Michigan students managing at least one chronic condition and 25% taking daily medications, the presence of school nurses are vital for ensuring both the mental and physical health and safety of students.

“School nurses are vital members of a child’s care team, especially for students with chronic health conditions. They serve as the bridge between the school, family and healthcare provider to ensure student health needs are coordinated throughout the school day,” said Dr. Elliott Attisha, senior fellow for health with Attendance Works and school health consultant with Detroit Parent Network. “By closely monitoring school health data, providing outreach and case management, and responding to emergencies, school nurses play an indispensable role in keeping students healthy, safe and ready to learn.”

Holland Public Schools Superintendent Nick Cassidy highlighted their partnership with Holland Hospital to establish a school mental health program. The initiative, launched during the 2019-2020 school year, focuses on improving mental health care access, especially in response to the high rates of suicidal ideation among teens. The program employs a school nurse as a school mental health care manager, who coordinates care between students, families, school staff and external providers. The goal is early intervention, particularly for students at risk of suicide or other mental health crises.

“This has been a game changer for our families,” Cassidy said. “We’ve seen a drastic decrease in students experiencing thoughts and actions of self-harm, and parents are reaching out to tell me how supported they feel throughout the process thanks to this program.”

“One out of five children living in the U.S. experience a mental disorder in a given year, and we know school nurses play a pivotal role in early identification and intervention, helping to connect students with the appropriate resources and professionals since school nurses are the entry point into a student’s health needs at school,” said Hendrina Cupery, MSN, RN, NCSN, manager of Holland Hospital’s School Nurse/School Mental Health Program and president of the Michigan Association of School Nurses board of directors. “Our partnership with Holland Public Schools is a model for how districts across the state can address this growing issue.”

Wayne RESA, Michigan’s largest intermediate school district, serves more than 260,000 students. Through its Safe and Healthy Schools department, schools have access to tiered programming to support physical, social, emotional and mental health, including suicide prevention, threat assessment and crisis preparedness. For schools without access to a school nurse, the program offers a cost-sharing option for school nurse consulting services.

“Our goal is to create a community where every child feels safe and supported,” said Terri Czerwinski, MSN, RN, director of Safe and Healthy Schools at Wayne RESA.

Research shows that schools with full-time nurses see improved attendance and better academic outcomes. While school nurses come with a cost, their presence leads to significant long-term savings by reducing hospital visits and emergency room costs. For every $1 spent on school nursing, society saves $2.20.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses recommend a full-time school nurse in every building. However, there is no statutory requirement for Michigan schools to employ a nurse or dedicated funding stream to support the hiring of school nurses.

In Michigan, approximately 700 school nurses support 1.5 million students — roughly one school nurse for every 2,142 students. In the U.S., only 66% of schools have access to a full-time school nurse, according to the National School Nurse Workforce Study. The numbers are worse for rural schools, with only 56.2% employing a full-time school nurse.

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The mission of the Michigan Association of School Nurses is to be proactive in issues that affect the health of children, to promote optimal learning in the educational setting, and to advance the practice of professional school nurses.