SDOH and School Nurse-Led Interventions: Improving Health and Education Outcomes Among School-Aged Children and Adolescents

School nurses (SNs) play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and academic success of students. SNs provide a wide range of services, including managing acute and chronic health conditions; care coordination; developing health programs and policies; educating school staff, students, and families; and supporting their communities through health promotion and disease prevention. Additionally, SNs assist students with mental and behavioral health issues, serving as liaisons between parents, teachers, and outside resources. Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly impact children and adolescents. School nurses are uniquely positioned to mitigate SDOH, particularly among marginalized populations. The school setting is ideal for positively changing students’ lives due to the substantial time children spend in school. Schools offer education, socialization, routine, extracurricular activities, support services, and access to health resources, fostering holistic development. Research on school nursing is critical to demonstrate SN’s positive impact on student health and advocate for their presence in all schools. Partnerships between academic researchers and community stakeholders are vital for successful research and practice. School nurses are essential for students’ health and well-being, and schools have a significant role in addressing SDOH. Investing in school nurses and school nurse research contributes to a safe and equitable environment, where students thrive and learn effectively.