School Nurses' Experience of Working in School Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden.

Eva Martinsson,Eva-Lena Einberg,Pernilla Garmy

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136713

Eva Martinsson, Eva-Lena Einberg + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136713

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a vast influence on Swedish society. Related recommendations and political decisions have greatly affected schools. This study aimed to describe school nurses’ experience working in Sweden during the pandemic in 2020. The study used a qualitative method with an inductive approach. Interviews with 17 school nurses in five focus groups and one individual interview were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used. The impact of the pandemic on school nurses can be described through three categories: “Changes in working methods in relation to the students/guardians”, “Impact on cooperation with school staff”, and “The school nurse’s prerequisites for major changes.” Overall, school nurses experienced a transition to a digital way of working. Policies and decisions on global and local levels affected the work situations of school nurses as well as the school nurses’ social, cultural, and professional experience. The highest priority for school nurses is students, and school nurses adapted their working methods to give support to students during the changing circumstances. School nurses are both pragmatic and highly creative. Cooperation with other school professions is critical, as is support and guidance during crisis situations.

Highlights

IntroductionThe school nurse has an important role in the work of the school health service: to promote students’ health and learning
A common thread that was consistent in all three categories and can be said to be on an overall level is the transition to a digital way of working; see Figure 1
Whenthat students worked from home,was the work nurses, many students stayedtohome the first week the recommendation intro-changed a few ways, including health dialogues moving to a digital platform, with school nurses duced, but theninabsenteeism gradually decreased

Summary

Introduction

The school nurse has an important role in the work of the school health service: to promote students’ health and learning. Act [2] states that elementary and upper secondary school students should have school health services that include medical, psychological, psychosocial, and special pedagogical measures focused on prevention and health promotion that support students’ development toward the objectives of education. Health dialogues or health conversations are among the school nurse’s most important tools in health promotion work. Golsäter’s dissertation [3] delves into health dialogues and emphasizes the importance of preparation for the student and adaptability from the school nurse. The school nurse’s health promotion work is carried out at both group and individual levels [4]

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