What is the relationship between SBHCs and school nurses/school health services programs?
In school year 2007-2008, all 1,455 public schools in Maryland had school health services, usually staffed by a registered nurse. Some large or rural schools have a full-time nurse, but most schools share a part-time nurse with one or more other schools. School nurses provide acute care for injuries and illnesses, care for chronic health conditions under the supervision of a physician, conduct screening for health problems, and maintain up-to-date health and immunization records. School nurses do not diagnose or treat illness; they refer children for appropriate medical care. In school year 2007-2008, SBHCs served 72 of the 1455 public schools. (There were 61 SBHCs in Maryland, but some serve more than one school.) SBHCs employ a primary care provider (a pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) who works cooperatively with the school nurse to screen, diagnose, treat, and refer children for medical conditions. School nurses often serve as the first contact for health is
