• Classroom teachers will now be in the front line, expected to deal with situations for which they are neither trained nor prepared. 

• Seizure disorders, diabetes, severe allergies and asthma often present in the elementary years and many parents can testify to the huge relief of knowing there is someone on hand to diagnose and treat accordingly.  These conditions are unpredictable, can be life-threatening and often require immediate action by a trained medical professional within minutes if a tragedy is to be avoided. 

• Most Elementary school children are unable to articulate what is wrong with them.  The school nurse performs a vital role in determining whether emergency care, a call to parents, a Band-Aid / icepack or some simple nurturing is required. 

• Seemingly small incidents can quickly escalate if not treated appropriately in a timely manner. 

• How many classroom hours will be lost by teachers and students alike, not to mention parents having to leave work to pick up children who would otherwise have been coaxed back to class? 

• School nurses perform a great many other tasks critical to the smooth running of the school, from reviewing annual physical reports and immunization records, performing various screenings (e.g. vision, hearing, obesity and scoliosis).