The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) adopted a new definition of school nursing in June 1999:
School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.
In New Hampshire, the role of the school nurse has expanded as the needs of students have evolved. School nurses should ensure that the work they undertake mainly focuses on these areas outlined by the NASN to be certain that their time is used effectively.