School Health Chile: School Nursing and its Transformative Role in Schools

This article is an invitation to discover how school nursing goes beyond the classic welfare role to become a vital bridge between health and education, creating healthy, equitable school communities with greater social welfare. We will also address emblematic projects such as the law of sixty minutes of daily physical activity, the recent redefinition of the role of nursing worldwide and how SOCHIESE is positioned as a key player in these transformations.

Table of Contents

• What is SOCHIESE and how does it contribute to School Health in Chile?
• The History and Growth of School Nursing in Chile
• The Sixty Minute Law: More than an Hour of Physical Education
• Redefining the Role of Nursing Worldwide: Implications for School Health Chile
• SOCHIESE Projects and Activities Highlights: From Cardioprotection to Continuing Education
• A Call to Nurses: Building School Health Chile Together
• Conclusion: School Health Chile on the Move
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SOCHIESE and how does it contribute to School Health Chile?

SOCHIESE is a network of nurses distributed throughout Chile, united by passion and commitment to school health. Founded in 1995 working in schools mainly in Santiago, this community has grown to bring together today eighty-four members who come not only from schools and primary care but also from academia and universities, where continuous training in school health is promoted.

In the interview with Nuri Sadá Aznar, President of the Chilean Society of School Health Nursing (SOCHIESE), she tells us more about the mission of the organization and its activities:

SOCHIESE, or Sociedad Chilena de Enfermería en Salud Escolar, is a group that brings together nurses from all over Chile with a common interest: to improve the health of children and adolescents within the school environment. The society has been working constantly for more than thirty years to advise schools that do not have nursing professionals and to collaborate with ministries such as the Ministries of Health and Education to create public policies that favor school health.

In addition, SOCHIESE maintains close ties with international nursing societies in Spain, the United States, Colombia and Argentina, creating a global network that was especially strengthened during the 2020 pandemic to advise governments on a safe return to school.

A key aspect of SOCHIESE's work is its constant attention to emerging needs in Chile, such as the law of sixty minutes of daily physical activity in schools, which is still pending. The society seeks to influence the design and execution of projects that improve the quality of life and health of the school population.

An important recent achievement is the alliance with the Chilean Society of Pediatrics (SOCHIPE), with the aim of advancing towards the goal of having a nurse in every school in the country, a dream that represents a fundamental step for school health and educational equity.

SOCHIESE's mission is clear: to ensure that every school in Chile has a nurse, a professional who has the necessary skills to be the link between the education system and the health system. Throughout these decades, the society has advised schools without nurses, collaborated with ministries and participated in the creation of public policies to improve the health of Chilean children and adolescents.

"Our dream is one nurse per school because we are the professionals with sufficient competencies to insert ourselves within schools and make this link between health and education."

In addition, SOCHIESE maintains international links with counterpart societies in Spain, the United States, Colombia and Argentina, creating a global network that exchanges experiences and strategies, especially evidenced in their joint work during the pandemic to ensure a safe return to face-to-face classes.

The History and Growth of School Nursing in Chile

The origin of SOCHIESE is an inspiring example of how collaboration can bring about great change. In 1995, a nurse at a private school in Santiago sought to connect with colleagues who shared her work, and a small community was formed that quickly grew as it responded to an obvious need: school health required dedicated professionals.

Over time, interest in school health has grown stronger and has attracted not only nurses working in schools, but also university faculty and students who are seeing this area as an emerging specialty. Although not yet an official specialty, school nursing is gaining ground, and universities are incorporating this perspective into their academic programs.

SOCHIESE defines itself as a private law, multidisciplinary, scientific and technical, autonomous corporation that works with a collaborative approach to improve the health of school communities and, consequently, Chilean society in general.

Project for 60 minutes a day of physical activity in schools:

One of the most relevant projects in which SOCHIESE is involved is the promotion and support of the so-called "sixty minutes law" of daily physical activity for students. Chile today faces a growing challenge: high rates of childhood and youth obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic diseases associated with overweight such as hypertension and diabetes at an early age.

The law does not seek to increase the number of hours of physical education classes, but to promote that children and adolescents perform at least sixty minutes of physical activity daily, which can be integrated in various forms during the school day. This includes everything from active recess, dynamic classes that incorporate movement, to extracurricular activities that promote integral health.

"This law means sixty minutes of daily physical activity for schoolchildren, which doesn't just mean increasing physical education classes, it has to be a minimum daily physical activity of sixty minutes."

The approach is flexible and sensitive to the diversity of the country, considering the differences in infrastructure and resources of each school community. Thus, it is recognized that not all schools have roofed gymnasiums or courts, so physical activity must be adapted to the real conditions of each environment.

What is the role of the school nurse in the implementation of this law?

The school nurse is key to diagnose the specific needs of each educational community and to manage the actions to comply with this law. By being inside the school, she can identify opportunities to promote physical activity adapted to local conditions, whether through active recess, extracurricular activities or innovative teaching methodologies.

Thus, the link between health and education is strengthened, making physical activity an integral part of school life and not just an isolated subject.

The presence of school nurses is key to diagnose and manage these activities, as they know the specific needs of each educational community and can articulate strategies that effectively integrate health and education.

Why is this law essential for school health in Chile?

• Combats sedentary lifestyles: In an increasingly digital world, children spend more time in front of screens, which reduces their physical activity.
• Prevents chronic diseases: Childhood obesity is associated with hypertension, diabetes and other health problems previously seen only in adults.
• Promotes equity: Currently, access to physical activity is unequal; this law seeks to level the playing field for all students.
• Strengthens holistic wellness: Movement not only improves physical health, but also mental health and academic performance.

Redefining the Role of Nursing Worldwide: Implications for School Health Chile

Nursing is undergoing a profound redefinition. Recently, the International Council of Nurses, which brings together more than 130 nursing societies worldwide, published a new definition that expands and empowers the role of the nurse. It is no longer limited to direct patient care, but encompasses educational, preventive, care and management dimensions.

This conceptual change is especially relevant for school health in Chile, where the school nurse plays a strategic role that goes beyond direct nursing care to become a promoter of healthy behaviors, a manager of support networks and an articulator of strategies that benefit the entire educational community.

"The school nurse not only responds to individual student needs, but also contributes to collective well-being, promotes healthy environments and reduces gaps in access to essential services."

This comprehensive approach implies that the school nurse accompanies chronic and acute processes, facilitates equitable access to fundamental rights such as education and health, and actively participates in decision-making within educational communities.

The School Nurse as an Agent of Change and Management

Far from being an administrative resource or a merely welfare role, the school nurse is positioned as a leader and builder of healthy and equitable communities. She participates in school councils, collaborates with principals, teachers and families, and contributes to the design of policies and practices that promote comprehensive wellness.

This multidimensional profile is aligned with international trends and evidence that countries with school nurses have seen significant improvements in the health and performance of their students, as well as a reduction in social gaps.

This redefinition recognizes that nursing is not just direct patient care, but encompasses four fundamental dimensions: care, prevention, education and management. This means that the school nurse not only attends to specific cases, but also promotes healthy behaviors, performs early detection of problems, manages resources and articulates support networks within the school community.

For the school context, this strategic vision positions the nurse as a fundamental agent in the construction of healthy and equitable educational environments, where health and education are intertwined to enhance collective well-being.

How does this new definition impact the daily practice of school nursing?

The school nurse becomes the bridge between the school, the family and the health system, accompanying students with chronic or acute conditions and promoting equity in access to health services. In addition, she actively participates in decision making within the educational community, contributing with her knowledge to generate positive and sustainable changes.

Outstanding Projects and Activities of SOCHIESE: From Cardioprotection to Continuing Education

SOCHIESE is not only dedicated to consulting and advocacy, but also promotes concrete projects that have a direct impact on Chilean schools. One of these is the "Cardioprotected School" program, which arose in response to the law that requires schools with more than 500 students to have automatic external defibrillators (AED).

But the law is not just about buying a device; it requires the school community to be trained to use it effectively, in conjunction with cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers (CPR). That is why SOCHIESE partnered with Zoll, a brand specializing in defibrillators, to educate teachers, students and school staff in the use of these vital tools.

In September, prevention month, SOCHIESE nurses will visit schools in the Metropolitan Region to train third and fourth grade students in CPR and the use of defibrillators, an action that not only saves lives within the school, but also has a positive impact on the community and the young people's family environment.

Continuing Education and Support Networks

Being part of SOCHIESE offers nurses a space for permanent updating, exchange of experiences and participation in scientific conferences. Each month, the society organizes clinical meetings with experts who address relevant topics such as epidemiology, vaccination campaigns and community health. This space strengthens professional development and collaboration among colleagues, creating a solid network that multiplies the impact of school nursing in Chile.

A Call to Nurses: Building School Health Chile Together

SOCHIESE extends an open invitation to all nurses working in different educational establishments to join this community that is committed to a country where every school has a nurse. The society offers:

• Representation before public agencies, ministries and scientific societies.
• Advice and support to face specific challenges in diverse territories.
• Opportunities for training, research and participation in innovative projects.
• A space to share knowledge, experiences and strengthen professional links.

The conviction is that school nursing has a fundamental role in the construction of a healthier and more equitable future for Chilean children and adolescents, and that together and together they can transform schools into spaces where health and education intertwine to promote full lives.

School Health Chile... in Movement

SOCHIESE's history and present show us that school health in Chile is a growing field, with committed professionals who are redefining their role to respond to current challenges. From the promotion of daily physical activity, to the implementation of cardioprotection projects, to the integration of the school nurse as a strategic agent in the educational community, the path is marked by collaboration, innovation and a human approach.

In a country with geographic and social diversity, school nursing emerges as a vital bridge to reduce gaps, promote equity and accompany children and adolescents in their integral development. SOCHIESE, with its history of more than three decades, continues to be a beacon of inspiration and action for those who believe in a more inclusive and active school health in Chile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SOCHIESE and what is its main objective?

SOCHIESE is the Chilean Society of School Health Nursing, a group of nurses and related professionals who seek to promote integral health in Chilean schools, advising schools, collaborating with ministries and working so that every school has a nurse.

What is the Sixty Minutes of Physical Activity Law?

It is an initiative that seeks to get students to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, which can be through active classes, dynamic recesses or extracurricular activities, in order to combat sedentary lifestyles and improve physical and mental health.

What is the current role of the school nurse according to the new global definition?

The school nurse fulfills a multifaceted role that includes direct care, prevention, health education and management, promoting healthy environments and acting as an articulator of support networks within the educational community.

Frequently Asked Questions about SOCHIESE

1. What is SOCHIESE and what is its main function?
   SOCHIESE is the Chilean Society of School Health Nursing, a group that brings together nurses from all over Chile to promote and improve health in schools, advising schools, collaborating with ministries and participating in public policies.
   
   
2. What is the importance of the school nurse in schools?
   The school nurse not only attends to health care needs, but also promotes prevention, health education and resource management, being a vital link between the school, the family and the health system.
   
   
3. How does SOCHIESE help in the implementation of the law on defibrillators in schools?
   SOCHIESE supports training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of defibrillators for students, teachers and the school community, ensuring that the law is not only complied with in terms of equipment, but also in training and preparation.
   
   
4. What benefits does SOCHIESE offer its members?
   In addition to representation and continuing education, SOCHIESE offers advice, access to research, participation in conferences and a professional community that shares experiences and knowledge to strengthen school nursing in Chile.
   
   
5. How can I join SOCHIESE?
   If you are a nurse interested in school health, you can contact SOCHIESE to learn about the benefits of being part of this society, participate in its activities, receive continuing education and contribute to improving school health in Chile.

School health in Chile is in a process of transformation that opens new possibilities for children and adolescents to live their school years with greater opportunities for physical, emotional and social well-being. The Chilean Society of School Health Nursing (SOCHIESE), led by committed professionals such as Nuri Sada Aznar, is a key player in this change. From its humble origins to its participation in national and international projects, SOCHIESE promotes initiatives that connect health and education in an innovative and humane way.

School nursing, with its expanded and strategic role, proposes a model where prevention, education and management come together to create healthier, more active and equitable school communities. Projects such as the sixty-minute law and education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are clear examples of how school health can be a comprehensive experience, adapted to diversity and the real needs of each environment.

If you want to learn more about scientific societies and school health in Chile, we invite you to visit VISIBLES WORLD MAGAZINE - News from Chilean and foreign scientific societies, where you will find updated information about SOCHIESE and other groups dedicated to health and education.

You can also learn more about the alliance between SOCHIESE and SOCHIPE to promote school health in Chile and the pilot programs they are developing on this page: SOCHIESE and SOCHIPE alliance to promote school health.

The invitation is open for more nurses and health professionals to join this network that is making a difference, building a Chile where school health is a tangible and enriching reality for all.