School nurses are a valuable asset to any school. Not only do nurses provide valuable healthcare treatment during the school day, but they are also a great resource for information about general health and wellbeing. Here are some ideas for incorporating the school nurse into your classroom activities:
Study Habits
Good study habits are not just about hard work. A good student leads a healthy lifestyle day in and day out, paying attention to everything from diet and exercise to sleep and stress. At the beginning of the school year, bring the school nurse into your classroom to talk about establishing good lifestyle habits for the year to come. Topics the nurse might cover can include responsible caffeine consumption, keeping a healthy diet, and practicing good sleep habits. Help your students make the most of the experience by encouraging them to write down questions in advance to ask the nurse. Students can use the time after the activity to practice setting health goals for themselves.
Nutrition
Nutrition and food science might be part of your science curriculum, and who better to help make these lessons engaging than an actual expert on the subject? Whether you're studying proteins or talking about global food inequality, your school's nurse might have something to add to the classroom discussion. Consider putting together a panel discussion in your classroom focusing on the topic of nutrition. The school nurse is just one person who might be able to add to your classroom learning experience. You can also enlist other community food experts to sit on the panel, such as a nutritionist, a doctor, or chef. Encourage students to participate in the discussion by asking questions and sharing their own experience.
Mental Health
Learning to deal with mental health issues is an important life skill that will help kids thrive in the long term. The school nurse is an important resource for students coping with mental health issues like stress and anxiety. Consider inviting the school nurse into your classroom during midterms or finals to talk to students about healthy ways of dealing with stress. Your nurse might stress the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise, and meditation. Other members of your school community to consult include the gym teacher, the health teacher, or the school guidance counselor. Stress the fact that these resources are always available to students, should they feel the need.
First Aid
Basic first aid is a life skill worth teaching! From hand washing hygiene to the Heimlich maneuver, a good arsenal of first aid skills will help students stay healthy and thrive in life. Whether you're discussing community service with your class, or just want to equip them with some useful practical knowledge, inviting your nurse to give a first aid lesson might be beneficial. Be sure to equip your classroom with plenty of supplies that your school nurse can use to instruct students in proper first aid. Stock up on supplies like bandages and gauze, antiseptic pads, and even splints to help treat a broken finger.
School nurses are a valuable member of any academic community, and by inviting your school’s nurse into the classroom you can help expand students’ horizons.
Krista Wolfe
Quill.com Contributing Writer
Krista Wolfe is a marketing project manager for Quill.com where she writes to help small businesses, teachers and healthcare professionals make more informed decisions on office essentials. She also writes on our new community blog, Café Quill, about a wide range of business matters such as leadership, productivity and work-life balancing. Krista lives in Chicago, and you can find her on Google+ or LinkedIN.