The practice of school nursing: integration with new models of health service delivery.

The leadership of the NASN recognizes the growth of the school-based and school-linked health center movement, and the interest of school nurses in this topic. The following is the first of two articles devoted to the integration of traditional school health services and school-based or school-linked health centers or clinics. The purpose of these articles is to increase general knowledge about "integrated, comprehensive school health programs," as well as promote an awareness of important opportunities that exist in the school-based/school-linked health center movement for school nurses. This article reviews the purpose of integration, depicts possible models of school-based/school-linked health centers, and considers some of the issues of this model. The April issue will highlight various school health delivery programs.