Perceptions of School Nurses in Addressing Student Mental Health Concerns: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Mental health disorders in school-aged children are on the rise. The need for mental health care is well recognized, and the provision of this care in schools is recommended. An integrative review explored how school nurses view their role in addressing students’ mental health. Fourteen articles were identified, eleven using a qualitative design and three using a quantitative design. Findings suggest that school nurses see their role as trusted members of the school community. They perceive upholding standards of practice as an integral part of their position and recognize competence in mental health care to be highly important. Practice recommendations include providing school nurses with evidence-based training on managing the mental health needs of students, as well as ensuring access to school nurses who can provide mental health supervision in the community.

The Evolution of the Role of U.S. School Nurses in Adolescent Mental Health at the Individual, Community, and Systems Level: An Integrative Review

“…The lack of relevant articles in this review is similar to findings in the review by Pestaner et al (2021) and Kaskoun and McCabe (2021), which both revealed a lack of empirical research in school nurses’ roles in suicide interventions and in addressing mental health. The articles in our review had varied study designs and quality, also exhibiting the lack of rigor in this research area.…”

“…Kaskoun & McCabe's (2021) review of school nurses’ perception of addressing mental health highlights how school nurses globally are in an ideal position to address this needed issue. Out of 14 articles published between 2005 and 2021, they were able to identify only one study done in the United States, thus highlighting the need to look back farther in the literature at studies conducted in the U.S. to better understand school nursing practice related to mental health.…”

Student safety in middle school: Implications for school nurse and teacher collaboration

“…Referring students with mental health needs to the school nurse is crucial, particularly in rural or under‐served areas where there may be a dearth of mental health providers (Kaskoun & McCabe, 2021; Klinck et al., 2020). Referrals for at‐risk students could be facilitated by including the school nurse in team meetings in which students with patterns of disciplinary problems are discussed.…”

“…School nurse coordination of mental health training and education for teachers would support teachers’ abilities to identify and manage student safety concerns (Onnela et al., 2014). Additionally, collaborative conferences between the teacher, parent and school nurse to discuss concerns would promote open communication about strategies to support student safety (Kaskoun & McCabe, 2021). These collaborative conferences have the potential to enhance awareness of safety concerns and positively influence school connectedness (Madjar et al., 2018; Onnela et al., 2014; O'Shea et al., 2021).…”

The Mental Health of School-Aged Youth: A Call to Action for School Nursing

“…Hoskote and colleagues (2022) found little evidence of active engagement by school nurses in mental health service delivery to adolescents and when provided, interventions were individual-focused and part of care coordination. Kaskoun and McCabe (2022) determined that addressing students’ mental health needs was a school nurse priority but skill development, continuing education and recognition as a contributing member of the care team were key to supporting integration of mental health care into school nursing practice.…”