The pandemic may be over, but the long-term effects of COVID-19 are still very real.

The World Health Organization declared the pandemic over as an international emergent concern in May 2023. But similar to other viruses, it doesn’t just disappear. For instance, some new variants are currently on the radar screen.

In addition, many people, including students, still grieve the loss of loved ones and suffer other repercussions from COVID-19.

How can school nurses help?

Life-Changing Events

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that one U.S. child lost a parent/caregiver for every four COVID-19 deaths. This amounted to more than 200,000 children during the first two years of the pandemic, with higher frequency among children of color.

School nurses play a key role in providing a supportive learning and lifestyle environment for affected students. There is an urgent call for nurses to understand, assess, and identify related social, emotional, and psychological factors and develop strategies to mitigate fallout, including addressing any racial, ethnic, or geographic health disparities that may occur.

Exacerbated Chronic Health Conditions

The challenges become more complex when addressing the needs of children with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

• COVID-19 threatened the mental health of many children for many reasons. In addition to grief, these included missed milestones and celebrations, stress-related directly to illness, struggling to avoid getting sick, protecting their loved ones, and economic and financial distress.
• Experts have described the effects of the pandemic as parallel to those of natural disasters in terms of long and short-term effects on the psychological, emotional, developmental, and physical health of children. Beginning in April 2020, pediatric hospitals across the nation began reporting sharp rises in emergency department visits for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, self-harm, aggressive behavior, and eating disorders.
• School closures during the height of the pandemic and transitioning back to on-site learning were linked to other health and educational concerns, including lower levels of engagement, violence, rising obesity, increases in teen pregnancy, chronic absenteeism, dropouts, and overall deficits in the development of social and emotional skills – all due to extended isolation from networks and peers.

School Nurses as First Responders

Already integrated into their school community, school nurses are in a unique position to provide multifaceted assistance to students and their families. A child who is struggling may be more comfortable confiding in their school nurse than others, which enables nurses to build connections more easily and advocate for the right care. It’s a critical, powerful, and much-needed role in 2024 and going forward.

If you’re pursuing or interested in advancing your career as a school nurse or in another educational health services role, consider partnering with Covelo Group. Our team of specialized recruiters connects qualified professionals with in-demand jobs at top hospitals and other facilities across the country. Reach out to us today to learn more.