Innovation and effectiveness: changing the scope of school nurses in New Zealand secondary schools.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the changing role of school nurses in eight New Zealand (NZ) secondary schools from low socio-economic areas with high Pacific Island and Māori rolls.


METHODS
An evaluation of a pilot addressing under-achievement in low-decile schools in Auckland, NZ (2002-05). Annual semi-structured school nurse interviews and analysis of routinely collected school health service data were undertaken.


RESULTS
Two patterns of school nurse operation were identified: an embracing pattern, where nurses embraced the concept of providing school-based health services; and a Band-Aid pattern, where only the basics for student health care were provided by school nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
School nurses with an embracing pattern of practice provided more effective school-based health services. School health services are better served by nurses with structured postgraduate education that fosters the development of a nurse-practitioner role. Co-ordination of school nurses either at a regional or national level is required.
Kool
Bridget
B
School of Population Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand. b.kool@auckland.ac.nz
Thomas
David
D
Moore
Dennis
D
Anderson
Angelika
A
Bennetts
Phillipa
P
Earp
Karlynne
K
Dawson
Dianne
D
Treadwell
Nicky
N
D000367:Age Factors; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012573:School Nursing; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D040241:Social Marketing