Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41382081›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

School nursing in Germany - a developing field: results of a mixed methods study.

Jana Kaden, Birte Berger-Höger

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Jana KadenDepartment Evaluation and Implementation Research in Nursing Science, Institute for Public Health und Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Universitätsallee 1B, D- 28359, Bremen, Germany. jana.kaden@uni-bremen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0938-1343
Birte Berger-HögerDepartment Evaluation and Implementation Research in Nursing Science, Institute for Public Health und Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Universitätsallee 1B, D- 28359, Bremen, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4704-4401

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSchool nursing is a well-established part of school health services globally. In Germany, school nursing is limited to a few model projects. Little is known about the school nurses’ role, its related tasks and goals, and the collaboration with interest-holders. The aim of the study is to explore to what extent and how school nursing is currently implemented in Germany, to provide a basis for further development.

methodsWe conducted a context analysis, guided by the UK Medical Research Council’s framework from December 2022 to June 2023. A convergent mixed-methods design was used to gain a comprehensive understanding on the role, needs, working environment, and goals of school nurses. Quantitative data were collected via an online-survey and analysed descriptively. Semi-structured, guided focus group interviews, non-participatory observation of school nurses and expert interviews with interest-holders were conducted and analysed via content analysis for qualitative data, and typology formation was carried out. The findings were subsequently triangulated.

resultsWe analysed 65 survey datasets, qualitative data from five participatory observations, two focus group interviews, and ten expert interviews. School nurses work across various school types, caring for students of all ages. Of the respondents, 97% are registered nurses, with 34% holding a Bachelor’s degree. Their tasks, employment relationship and funding vary across federal states. Health promotion, prevention, and counselling are performed by 92%, addressing diverse topics depending on needs, 85% aim to strengthen health literacy among students, parents, and teaching staff. School nurses collaborate widely with internal and external interest-holders, are recognised as health experts and their work is valued supportive and accepted. Three different approaches for school nursing in Germany were identified. Using models and frameworks to inform school nursing was rarely reported.

conclusionSchool nurses in Germany aim to contribute to students and their communities by health promotion, prevention and inclusion. Their role is multifaceted, combining nursing, education, and counselling with different emphases across schools and supporting broader public health efforts. When implemented, they reach students, school staff, parents and partly their community. Given its development stage, established international concepts could serve as a foundation and orientation for further implementation.

Indexed as

Nurse's RoleSchool NursingFocus GroupsGermanyHumansInterviews as TopicQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesComprehensive nursingNetworkNurse's rolePublic healthSchool health servicesSchool nursing

Identifiers

PMID41382081
PMCPMC12801880

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.