Advancing Youth Safety: How School Nurses Can Support Youth, Families, and Prevent Firearm Injuries

Firearm injury prevention efforts play a critical role in addressing both morbidity and mortality associated with firearms among children and adolescents. School nurses, through their clinical expertise and trusted relationships with students and families, are uniquely positioned to contribute to and influence these prevention efforts. Nurses can engage in meaningful, respectful conversations during initial or brief encounters and through ongoing communication. This article provides an overview of firearm violence among youth and offers practical tools and resources for school nurses. These resources empower school nurses as trusted messengers, strengthening their ability to lead courageous, life-saving conversations around sensitive health and safety issues, including firearm injury prevention.