The school nurse practitioner.

Abstract

Whatever the specific details of their practices, SNPs have shown themselves able to function effectively in their expanded roles because they have assumed more responsibility, initiative, interdependence, and independence in caring for children. Specifically, they have learned to be confident of their decision-making abilities, to adapt themselves to an expanded framework of nursing, and to regard themselves as highly qualified professionals. What this means to the individual nurse practitioner, the parent and--most important--the child is well summed up in these remarks from Larea Younkman, SNP in the Denver Public Schools: "Previously," she writes, "my recommendations to the parents as to what to do and when, such as seeking medical attention, were frequently too general and consequently not heeded by the parent. Now when I talk to a parent, I am not only confident of my findings but I'm also much more convinced that what I suggest is necessary. As a result, parents are looking at SNPs differently, trusting our judgment, and, I think, following through on the advice we offer to a greater extent than previously." Thus the SNP could well be the vital bridge between this country's traditional system of health care delivery and those children who are deprived of the care they need through reluctance, ignorance, parental apathy, or lack of available health care facilities.