Overview

• Spain's ratio of one school nurse per 6,368 students significantly lags behind the EU average of one per 750, according to new data presented by the Consejo General de Enfermería (CGE).
• Regions like Cantabria, País Vasco, and Asturias have some of the lowest nurse-to-student ratios, with Cantabria employing only four nurses for nearly 90,000 students.
• In Andalucía, Murcia, and Catalunya, school nursing is often provided through sporadic reinforcements from primary care, rather than dedicated positions, straining healthcare resources.
• Vacancies for school nurse positions persist due to low salaries and contracts limited to the academic year, which deter potential candidates.
• The CGE is advocating for national legislation and the creation of a Diploma of Accreditation in School Nursing to standardize training and ensure a nurse in every school.