Experience of School Nurses During Public Health Crises: From 2009 H1N1 Influenza to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Eunjoo Kim; Eun Jung Bae

doi:10.1080/07370016.2022.2136972

Experience of School Nurses During Public Health Crises: From 2009 H1N1 Influenza to the COVID-19 Pandemic

J Community Health Nurs. 2023 Jan-Mar;40(1):14-27. doi: 10.1080/07370016.2022.2136972.

Authors

Eunjoo Kim¹, Eun Jung Bae²

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
² College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

PMID: 36602772
DOI: 10.1080/07370016.2022.2136972

Abstract

Purpose: To elucidate the experiences of school nurses when responding to public health crises in Korea.

Design: Phenomenological research.

Methods: One-on-one online in-depth interviews were conducted (N = 10).

Findings: Major public health crises considerably affected schools, school nurses, and the revision of the School Health Act.

Conclusions: The experiences of school nurses in responding to periodic public health crises over the few decades have contributed to the advancement of an infectious disease response system in schools.

Clinical evidence: The activities of school nurses during public health crises could serve as a foundation to improve the system.

Keywords: COVID-19; Nurses; Qualitative Research; School Nursing.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*
Influenza, Human* / epidemiology
Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
Nurses*
Pandemics
Public Health