Standardized Dataset for School Health Services

Abstract

It is critical for school nurses to promote and educate others on what they do. Data can help shape the message into understandable language across education and health. While Part 1 of this article discusses NASN’s progress on identifying a standardized dataset for school health services, Part 2 focuses on the analysis and sharing of data at the local level. Examples of how to use the data to improve practice and create change are included. Guidance is provided in creating and sharing data as part of an annual report as a final step in advocating for school health services commensurate with student health needs. As the work on an evidence-based uniform dataset continues at the national level, what should be the response at the local level? Do we wait, or do we continue to collect certain data? The purpose of Part 2 of this article is to describe how data being collected locally illustrate health trends, benchmarking, and school nursing outcomes and can be compiled and shared in an annual report.