September 14, 2023

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Practice and Academic Research Partnerships - A Win for School Nurses [1.0 NCPD]

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President's Message

Childhood obesity is a significant health concern in the United States. One in five children and adolescents across the country grapple with obesity. The impact is not evenly distributed, with certain groups of children experiencing more pronounced effects. Excessive weight gain in children can be attributed to various factors, encompassing behaviors, genetics, and the use of specific medications. However, it's crucial to recognize the influence of societal and community factors, such as the accessibility of affordable, nutritious foods and beverages, the presence of safe and convenient places for physical activity, and the creation of a supportive school environment.


In the fight against childhood obesity, school nurses play a pivotal role. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. School nurses are at the forefront of developing local school health policies and district/community-wide initiatives that foster wellness, promote healthy nutrition, encourage increased physical activity, and cultivate positive lifestyle behaviors for every student. NASN has resources to help you spread the word in your school.

Kate King, DNP, MS, RN, LSN

NASN President

Better Health. Better Learning.™ 

NASN News and Highlights

The New NASN Professional Liability Insurance Program

Affordable professional liability rates are extended to NASN members through NASN's newly endorsed provider, Nurses Service Organization (NSO). As a nursing professional, NSO empowers you to confidently pursue your passion by providing malpractice insurance and valuable risk management education. Learn more about this coverage to protect against the risks you face as a school nurse.

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In Memoriam: Beverly Farquhar, NASN's First Executive Director

With great sadness, we acknowledge the passing of Beverly Farquhar, NASN's first Executive Director (1985-1999), who died on September 6, 2023. In 1996, she had insightfully remarked, "School Health Services are changing more quickly than anticipated ... We must be able to negotiate change rather than be a victim of change." NASN pays tribute to Farquhar's life and dedication to advancing school health services.

Meet the Editor Web Meeting: Responding to Reviewer Feedback

Join us for the next Meet the Editor web series meeting on September 21, 2023, at 3:30 PM ET. The Journal of School Nursing Editor, Dr. Martha Dewey Bergren, will provide tips for authors and field comments and questions during this interactive meeting. You will learn expectations when responding to reviewer comments, the standard template format used for responding to reviewers, and how to respond when you disagree with the reviewers. Register now.

Create and Implement a School Employee Wellness Program

Employees who feel well are more productive, engaged, and present at work. The NASN School Nurse article, Development of an Evidence-Based Employee Wellness Program, provides you with evidence-based resources to assist in creating and implementing an employee wellness program in the school setting.


Additional Resources: The principles of leadership and community/public health within the NASN Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice™ support the health of students and employees. The Framework™ Mini Modules provide 2.0 free NCPD contact hours.


NASN membership includes a subscription to NASN School Nurse.

Students With Celiac Disease and Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction

Pediatric abdominal pain is a common complaint among students seeking care from the school nurse. Listen to the NASN September Podcast, where NASN School Nurse Editor Cynthia Galemore interviews Margaret Bultas and Elissa Brueggemann about the article "Celiac Disease and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: What School Nurses Need to Know."

Are you considering showcasing your innovative ideas and solutions to enhance school health services and benefit the students and communities we serve? The NASN2024 Call for Presentation Submissions is officially underway, and you have until October 13, 2023, at noon ET to submit proposals.

The following are paid advertisements

School Nurse Provides Nurse-Chosen Products for Student Health Management


School Nurse, a division of Pocket Nurse®, offers thousands of nurse-curated products to manage K-12 student wellness. Products ship FAST, including first aid supplies, teaching tools, CPR/AED trainers, infection control items, and much more.


Learn More

Resources to Guide Vaping Prevention Discussions With Youth


Use FDA’s educational materials to shape conversations with youth on the health risks of vaping. Find key information, including an interview with Dr. Susan Walley, also available in Spanish.

 

Read the Interview

School Nurses in the News

This section highlights news stories featuring NASN and school nurses. If you have a story about school nurses you'd like us to consider including, please send it to us.


Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Addressing Adolescent Substance Use and Mental Health

School nurses spend 30% of their time attending to student mental health concerns and need practice- and competency-based behavioral health continuing education opportunities. NASN's new no-cost NCPD program Is Substance Use Undermining Adolescent Mental Health? School Nurse Role on the School-Based Mental Health Team helps you apply the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to address adolescent substance use and mental health.


Additional Resources: Check out our free NCPD program, Incorporating MTSS into School Health Services to Promote Health Equity.

Improving School Community & Student Health

EMPOWER and Inspire Young People to Take Charge of Their Asthma

Historically, we see an epidemic of asthma episodes in September, with a quarter of all children hospitalized for an asthma attack being admitted this month. The National Environmental Education Foundation and Hip Hop Public Health have announced the release of new asthma resources to help school nurses and other providers offer engaging asthma education to help avoid some of these poor outcomes. The EMPOWER songs, videos, and accompanying printable educational assets aim to inspire young people with asthma to take charge of their health with evidence-based self-management skills.


Additional Resources: See NASN NCPD programs to Create Healthy Environments for Children with Asthma and learn more about Evidence-Based Decision Making for Pediatric Asthma.

Help Teens Understand and Make a Plan to Manage Their Migraine

In recognition of Pain Awareness Month, we are excited to share the new Migraine Trainer®®, an app developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to help teens understand the possible causes of their migraines and take a more active role in their treatment. Migraine Trainer helps teens track symptoms, identify triggers, and manage migraines. The app allows teens to share a headache log with their healthcare provider for a personalized management plan. Spread the word with Migraine Trainer shareable resources.


Additional Resources: Complete the program The Emerging School Nurse Leader Role in Decreasing School Absenteeism in Children with Migraine Headache and earn 1.0 NCPD contact hour.

IEA Back-to-School Webinar: Children and Youth Mental Health

Join the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) on September 19, 2023, at 2 PM EST for a webinar on mental health challenges children and youth face and what the Department of Health and Human Services is doing to support mental health needs in schools. Register for the webinar.

National Preparedness Month 2023

National Preparedness Month raises awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and reminds us that disasters can strike anytime. NASN's Online School Emergency Triage Training provides school nurses with the necessary knowledge, skills, and training resources to lead school-based Disaster Response Teams and perform triage in response to mass casualty events.


Additional Resources: See also the NASN page dedicated to Disaster Preparedness.

Mark Your Calendar

Meet the Editor Web Meeting: Responding to Reviewer Feedback


September 21


Learners will be able to discuss expectations, describe the standard format, and strategize how to respond to reviewers.


Learn more and register.

Deadline to Earn NCPD for Both

In-Person and Virtual NASN2023


October 12


Assess and evaluate sessions you attended to earn NCPD contact hours.


Assess/Evaluate In-Person sessions.


Assess/Evaluate Virtual sessions.

Deadline for NASN2024 Conference Presentation Submissions


October 13


NASN invites you to submit an In-Person or Virtual oral or poster presentation for NASN2024.


Learn more and submit.

Application Deadline: NASN Scholarships


October 15


NASN members are encouraged to apply for scholarships to support their continuing education goals.


Find more information and apply online.

Application Deadline:

Research Grants


October 31


NASN research grants advance and fund quality school nursing practice and school-affiliated delivery of healthcare.


Learn more and apply.

Application Deadline: Fellow/Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of School Nursing Nominations


November 30


NASN is accepting nominations for Fellows.


Learn more and nominate.

State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences

  • School Nurse Organization of Washington Fall Conference - Growth from Change - October 13-14, 2023. Learn more and Register


  • Montana Association of School Nurses 2023 Fall Conference - October 19-20, 2023. Learn more


  • Illinois Association of School Nurses 66th Annual Conference - Building for the Future: Emergency Preparedness, Advocacy, and Leadership - October 20-21, 2023. Learn more and Register


  • Save the Date: School Nurse Organization of Minnesota Fall Conference - November 3-4, 2023. Learn more and Register



  • Save the Date: Colorado Association of School Nurses 2023 Fall Conference - Mastering Self-Efficacy: A Key to School Nursing Success - November 3-5, 2023. Learn more


  • Save the Date: West Virginia Association of School Nurses 2023 Fall Conference - November 9-11, 2023. Learn more


  • Indiana Association of School Nurses Conference 2023 - THE TIME IS NOW - November 15-16, 2023. Learn more and Register

NASN Calendar of Events


This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the calendar.


NASN CALENDAR

National Health Observances Calendar


This calendar lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics. Access the 2023 calendar. 

OBSERVANCES CALENDAR

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