Showing love for our School Nurses and Health Services staff: How BVSD Health Services supports student health every day

Studies show healthy students excel in learning, experience well-being, and maintain consistent attendance. The Health Services Department at BVSD is dedicated to supporting holistic student health daily, ensuring safety, support, and readiness for learning.

Our team of 22 school nurses, 3 resource nurses, 7 hearing and vision screening staff, 7 administrative staff, and 56 health room staff support students daily in all BVSD schools. Last school year, BVSD health offices actively cared for 2,800 students with life-threatening conditions, 7,200 students with Health Care Plans, and families self-reported 700 students with Mental Health Conditions.

Learn more about how our health team supports students and their families in our district.

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As a BVSD parent you’ve likely gotten a call from the health services team at some point. It may have come from a school nurse, a resource nurse or a member of the health room staff. From minor injuries to life-threatening conditions, our school health services team is committed to keeping kids healthy so they can continue learning.

Health Services By The Numbers

Last year our health services team recorded over 137,000 student visits, averaging about 8 visits per student a year. After receiving care, 85% of students returned to class rather than going home, preserving approximately 2 days of learning per enrolled BVSD student.

Health staff facilitated over 10,000 medication visits during school hours, highlighting the crucial role of school health services in maintaining student health and attendance. The vision and hearing team screened about 17,000 students, referring 357 for further evaluation and providing glasses to 232 students.

“Our Health Services staff in their various roles truly keep the school day running,” shared BVSD’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Margaret Huffman. “Our nurses manage school health teams in supporting students with a chronic health concerns such as type one diabetes, or responding to an injury on school grounds. Nurses educate our students on prevention measures for substance abuse, The work of school nurses and health room staff is comprehensive and holistic, focusing on prevention, intervention, and attentive care."

Role of the School Nurse

BVSD School Nurses are Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs Registered Nurses, with additional Special Services Provider licensure from the Colorado Department of Education. In BVSD, 40% of School Nurse Consultants hold graduate degrees.

The scope of practice of school nurses in the Boulder Valley School District operates primarily under a Consultative Delegatory School Health Practice Model. BVSD school nurses may be school site-based or itinerant. This model of school health delivery has distinct characteristics and responsibilities designed to promote student health, safety, and well-being, in addition to access to instruction. While this model provides a general framework, the specific responsibilities of school nurses may vary based on the needs of the student population including preventative care all the way to crisis support and follow up. 

"As a nurse consultant in multiple schools provides a lot of variety and opportunities to support students across the district," shared Holly Markels, school nurse at New Vista High School and University Hill Elementary. "The relationships I build and the teams I work with are rewarding in how we support students access to education."

Health Room Staff and Resource Nurses

Each school has trained Health Room staff who care for students during the school day. These paraprofessionals provide an extension of nursing support. While not licensed medical professionals, they are trained and supervised by School Nurses to assist with ongoing and urgent health needs. BVSD also employs Resource Nurses who support families with Medicaid services and health needs beyond the school environment.

School Nurses collaborate with families, healthcare providers, teachers, and school staff to address students' health needs. They manage and coordinate care for students with medical conditions by developing individualized health plans, thus supporting student access to learning.

As the health expert, nurses deliver integrated bio-psycho-social care and are key members of Special Education teams, addressing health needs within IEPs, 504 plans, and Individualized Health Care Plans. Additionally, they offer health education, emergency support, and guidance on behavioral and mental health issues.

Health Curriculum

All middle and high school nurses are trained and educated in substance use prevention and interventions. Our health services staff facilitate curriculum and lessons for all students to support improved health outcomes, without ever having to visit their school’s health room.

Leslie Choi, school nurse at Centaurus High School shared, "Connecting with students in a variety of ways within the school allows me to have valuable conversations about so many different aspects of health promotion.”

“For example, I go into health classrooms for Q&A and lessons, stand up an “Ask-a-Nurse” table at lunches, offer substance information tables in the hallways, craft bulletin boards, and hang posters. I try to be present in as many ways as I can to increase visibility and familiarity so that students are aware that there is a healthcare expert in their building who can support them on a wide variety of health topics."

Hmong Nguyen, school nurse at Boulder High School provides hands-on CPR and first aid training to upper-grade classes, practical skills that can save lives. And through their 9th grade Wellness in Action program she teaches how substance use impacts brain development, giving them the knowledge to make informed, healthier choices.

“As a school nurse, I see education as prevention. When students understand their health, they make better decisions, and those decisions lead to stronger long‑term health outcomes,” says Nguyen.

Learn more about the health curriculum offered in BVSD schools on our Health Curriculum webpage.

Emergency Preparedness and Safety

Student safety is a top priority in BVSD and part of our comprehensive safety plan includes the utilization and training of our district health staff. BVSD Health Services aids schools in emergency preparation by educating staff on health conditions, and training staff regarding lifesaving tools. 

“Over 1,000 BVSD staff members are certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED use and schools also have School Nurse trained Emergency Response Teams,” says Huffman. “Our school health rooms also keep supplies of Narcan, epinephrine (Epi), and ‘Stop the Bleed’ supplies and training for quick emergency response.”

School Medicaid and Health Access Support

BVSD also assists families in accessing essential health services through School Medicaid programs. These services include support from community-based licensed providers, assistance with health insurance enrollment, dental and vision vouchers, case management, and access to health-related supplies and equipment.

Learn more about the Medicaid School Health Program on the BVSD Health Services webpage.

The role of a school nurse, resource nurse, health room staff and other district health services members is extensive in the various ways they support the health of our students and by extension their families and their learning and development.

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“Our Health Services team is committed to partnering with families to ensure students remain healthy, safe, and ready to learn every day,” says Huffman. 

For questions or more information about the health services offered at your school, please contact your school’s health office or the BVSD Health Services Department.

Learn more on the BVSD Health Department webpage where you’ll find resources for families including information on immunizations, screening and preventative care, concussion protocols, nutrition and allergy information and much more.