I’m a School Nurse and Here Are the 3 Things Parents *Actually* Need to Worry About

Our kids spend most of their day at school, which means we’re counting on teachers and staff—especially the school nurse—to look after their health and safety when we’re not around. It’s a huge responsibility and for it to be smooth sailing, some parental cooperation is required. So I spoke with a seasoned pro to find out: What should parents actually be worried about during the school year—and what can we stop stressing over? Her answers might surprise you.

Marie Murphy is a Registered Nurse (RN) in New York City, who has overseen the health and safety of faculty, children and special needs adults (ages 3 to 21) for over 35 years.

Before we get into what deserves your attention, let’s talk about what doesn’t. According to the school nurse I spoke with, some of the most common reasons kids visit her office are no big deal—and definitely not cause for panic (or an early pickup).

Take stomachaches, for example. Kids come in all the time saying their stomach hurts, Murphy explains. “Sometimes there's just a lot of anxiety at school—there could be tests, there could be social situations, it could be playground related.” Whatever the reason, it almost always passes with just a brief reset, a sip of water and some light conversation. The same goes for minor playground scrapes: they happen, they get cleaned up and that’s usually about it. There’s no need for a phone call unless there’s a facial injury, in which case the nurse told me she will notify the parent.

1. If Your Child Fails an Eye, Hearing, or Scoliosis Screening

If you get a note home about your child not passing a school screening, don’t panic—but do follow up. “The nurse’s office is not an ophthalmologist’s office, but if they're squinting just 50 feet away from my desk and they can’t see a chart with animals and numbers and symbols, it could be something that really is impacting their learning,” Murphy explains, adding that the same goes for hearing tests which could indicate an ear infection (or something more serious) if a child performs poorly.

Older kids are also screened for scoliosis, especially as they start hauling around heavy backpacks. Murphy emphasizes that these screenings are the first step in ensuring that your child’s skeletal development doesn’t take a hit in the long term.

The takeaway? If you get a note sent home after a school screening, promptly seek follow-up care with a physician who can adequately monitor your child’s growth and development going forward.

2. If You’re Called to Pick Up After an Injury—or Returning Post-Injury

School is generally a safe place, but injuries can’t always be avoided. It’s not super common, Murphy stresses, but if the nurse calls about an injury then parents should “come and pick them up right away.”  

Serious injuries that require immediate medical attention are always dealt with by the school—an ambulance will pick the child up with a teacher to accompany them—but lesser injuries shouldn't wait till the end of the day. “If a child has a broken finger or has a possible wrist fracture, it can be really uncomfortable, and the school nurse can only do so much,” she explains.

Likewise, if your child was injured outside of school—say, a skiing accident over winter break— Murphy urges parents to get medical clearance before having the child return to school, so they can get the attention they need when they’re not in your care. “They could need crutches. They might need a cam walker. If their dominant arm is injured, they will need a scribe.” There things need to be arranged ahead of time, and the school can’t help properly if they don’t know what your kid needs.

3. If You Live in a State with Loose Vaccination Policies

Recent reports have highlighted a resurgence of measles (and even some polio) outbreaks across the United States—specifically in areas with reduced vaccination rates.

While states like New York have strict vaccination mandates for school enrollment, others allow for non-medical exemptions. If you’re in one of those states, Murphy urges parents to follow medical guidance and stay up to date on their child’s vaccines—not just for their sake, but to protect those who can’t be vaccinated due to medical conditions.

“People might think it's a little childhood illness, but there are actually so many kids who could end up in the hospital. There have been deaths from these diseases because of the pneumonia component that comes into play.”

Bottom line: Getting your child vaccinated helps keep everyone in the classroom safer—especially the most vulnerable kids.