The mission of the AUESD Health Program is to provide holistic health related services to all students in order to improve student attendance, minimize health related barriers to learning, and to provide the link between health and education through collaboration with students, staff, families, and the community. The Health Services Team is comprised of a district-wide Credentialed School Nurse and a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Both positions play an important role within the school setting and provides support for the physical, mental, emotional, and social health of students.

The Credentialed School Nurse is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) and also holds a Public Health Nurse (PHN) license. A School Nurse Services Credential, which requires additional education and is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, is also needed in the state of California to be able to work in the school setting. The School Nurse posses the expertise to identify, assess, plan, implement and evaluate the health needs of the school community. This care often begins with the development of a health care plan. The School Nurse also educates staff regarding students’ health conditions and needs, and is involved in the IEP (Individual Educational Program) process, with the provision of health assessments.

While the School Nurse performs vision and hearing screenings, oversees medication administration and the performance of health care procedures, the LVN provides direct, hands-on, care for students in the school community. The LVN also assists in ensuring the California requirements for immunizations, oral health, and examinations for school entry are met and works closely with the School Nurse to help meet the needs of the Health Program, working within their specific scope of practice.