Pull Up a Chair: Learning How To Invite Yourself to the Table
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Why You Need to Be at the Table
School nurses play a vital role in student well-being, yet they’re often left out of important conversations simply because others don’t realize the depth of their expertise. By advocating for a seat at the table, school nurses can break down silos, strengthen collaboration, and ultimately provide better care for students. If you wait for an invitation, you might miss the chance to make a real impact! Learning to pull up your own chair ensures that the health perspective—especially in areas like mental health, safety, and student support—is represented.
Many school-based committees and initiatives focus on student health, safety, and well-being, yet school nurses are often overlooked when these groups are formed. Whether it’s a suicide prevention team, a student support committee, a truancy meeting, or a crisis response team, your input is critical. You are uniquely positioned to recognize patterns that others may miss, such as students with frequent somatic complaints tied to anxiety or those showing signs of self-harm. You understand how health conditions impact learning and can bridge the gap between medical and educational needs.
By inviting yourself to these conversations, you:
Prioritize student health – Your perspective is essential in discussions on mental health, safety protocols, and emergency preparedness.
Strengthen collaboration – Working alongside teachers, counselors, and administrators helps create a more comprehensive support system for students.
Advocate for your role – The more visibility you have, the more others will understand the depth of your expertise and the importance of school nursing.
Improve student outcomes – Your voice can shape policies and interventions that directly impact student health and success.
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How to Invite Yourself
If you discover a team, committee, or initiative that aligns with your role and passion, take the initiative to join. Here’s how you can approach it in a way that feels natural and professional:
1. Express Interest with Curiosity
Instead of focusing on why you weren’t invited, frame it as wanting to support the initiative:
"I recently learned about the suicide prevention group, and I think it’s such an important initiative. As the school nurse, I’d love to contribute and collaborate. I often see students who may be struggling—whether through frequent health office visits for stress-related symptoms, signs of self-injury, or other concerns that are shared with me. I’d love to support the team’s efforts. Would it be possible to receive calendar invites for future meetings so I can join?"
"I had an idea that might help give us a more complete picture of the students going through the MTSS process—adding some input from the nurse’s office to the problem-solving form. Things like known medical conditions, a quick summary of nurse visits, or participation in programs like XXX could really help us understand the bigger picture and how it impacts their school experience. Let me know what you think. Thanks so much!"
"I’d love to join the truancy meetings to help provide insight from the health office. I often see students whose absences are linked to health concerns—chronic conditions, anxiety, or other barriers that may not be immediately obvious. Including this perspective could help us better support them. Would it be possible to be added to the meetings? Let me know what you think—I'm happy to chat more!"
2. Highlight Your Unique Role
You bring a different (and valuable) perspective:
You see students with physical complaints that may actually be rooted in emotional distress.
You often have private, one-on-one conversations with students who may not open up to teachers or counselors.
You can help identify patterns in health office visits that might indicate a student is struggling.
3. Keep It About the Students
People don’t know what they don’t know, and that includes understanding the full scope of a school nurse’s role. Many assume we’re just here for bumps, bruises and daily meds, without realizing that we’re trained to assess both physical and mental health concerns, recognize patterns in student behavior, and provide critical input on issues like attendance, chronic illness, and mental health. Because of this, school nurses are sometimes unintentionally left out of important discussions—not out of intentional exclusion, but simply because others don’t realize the depth of our expertise.
It’s completely natural to feel a little hurt when you realize you weren’t included in a team or meeting that aligns with your role. But instead of dwelling on the oversight, it helps to frame your involvement around how you can support students. A simple, proactive approach—like expressing interest, highlighting your unique perspective, and emphasizing collaboration—can open doors. In most cases, once others understand what you bring to the table, they’ll welcome your participation.
This shift in mindset not only helps you gain a seat at the table but also strengthens your presence as a key player in student support teams. If you wait for an invitation, you might miss the chance to make a real impact!
Don’t Wait for Permission
Too often, school nurses hesitate to step forward because they assume they need an invitation or worry about stepping on toes. But advocating for yourself isn’t about pushing in—it’s about making sure that student health is not an afterthought. Schools function best when all key stakeholders are involved, and school nurses are absolutely key stakeholders.
If you see a seat missing at the table, don’t be afraid to pull up your own chair. Your students will be better for it, and so will your school community.
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