IMPORTANCE OF THE SCHOOL NURSE ACCORDING TO THE PERCEPTION OF OFFICIALS OF BASIC SCHOOLS OF A PROVINCE OF CHILE

Abstract

Objective: To describe the importance of the school nurse as perceived by school staff members of elementary schools from a province south Chile. Materials and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, using a sample of 126 (75%) participants from a population of 169 school staff members of 5 public and private schools. After giving informed consent, the participants answered the instrument “Perception of the importance of the school nurse”, from the perspective of their caregiving, educational, research and management functions. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chilean Adventist University. Results: 94% of school staff members indicate that the school nurse is important when acting in emergencies during school hours; 93.5% consider that the school nurse is vital when it comes to providing first aid; 92.25% believe that parents feel reassured when there is a health professional in the school, and 91.75% say that nurses can educate students on sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: According to school staff members, the presence of a school nurse is important and should be promoted for maintaining student’s health.