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

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.