Connecting with frequent adolescent visitors to the school nurse through the use of intentional interviewing.

Nurses as accessible, helping adults within schools have daily opportunities to reach adolescents with unmet mental health needs. Understanding the relationship between frequent clinic visits or somatic complaints as a sign of underlying problems, which may be organic or psychoemotional in origin, requires the unique skill set of the school nurse. The welcoming school nurse, who cares for students with acceptance and emotional availability, nurtures the development of trust and meaningful personal connection. It is through this relationship that effective care and case finding occurs. Attachment to the school nurse as a responsive adult fosters a sense of school connectedness, which is associated with academic success. Intentional Interviewing is a person-centered, evidence-based approach that can be used by school nurses in this important work.