We are excited to share that, effective January 1, 2024, Ellen M. McCabe, PhD, PNP-BC, RN, will take on the role of associate editor of the Journal of School Nursing (JOSN).

Ellen is an assistant professor at the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing. She has worked as a school nurse, patient care manager, and pediatric nurse practitioner. As a community health researcher, Fellow of the National Academy of School Nursing (FNASN), and the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, her dedication, expertise, and experience make her an invaluable addition to the editorial team. 

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Many school nurse supervisors are not in a position to truly evaluate their nurses' day-to-day competencies. To address this issue, the session "School Nurse Competencies Reimagined: Strategies for Meaningful Competency Assessment in School Nursing" introduces innovative strategies that align with the NASN Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice™. This session, presented at Virtual NASN2022, now available in the NASN Learning Center, will challenge participants to reimagine clinical competency assessment focusing on personal and professional development.

It is a wise investment of public money to have full-time nurses employed in schools and should be considered when allocating resources. The JOSN article, A Cost-Benefit Analysis of School Nursing in One Large Urban School District, examines an urban district's partial school nurse coverage conversion to full-time coverage. The analysis provides evidence that full-time coverage could result in a positive ROI for schools and the community.

School nurses are a vital part of the nation's public health infrastructure. Listen to the JOSN October Podcast, where Martha Dewey Bergren, editor of JOSN, interviews author Felesia Bowen to discuss the article "Education is a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH): School Nurses Level the Playing Field."

NASN members stay current with subscriptions to JOSN and NASN School Nurse.

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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.

• The Raise Foundation Shines Light on OC School Nurses Organization’s Impact (Source: newsroom.ocde.us)
• Schools Stock Overdose Reversal Meds, but Some Worry About Stigma (Source: usnews.com)
• Naloxone Can Save Students’ Lives, but Not Every School Has It (Source: npr.org)
• State School Nurse of the Year (Source: catawbacountync.gov)
• School Superstar Spotlight: Allison Conyers (Source: mynbc5.com)
• New Hanover County School Health Team Receive Award for Work Confronting the Vaping Epidemic (Source: nhcgov.com)
• N.Y. Nurses, Doctors on Importance of Preparing Students With Asthma for School (Source: spectrumlocalnews.com)
• Telehealth Services Available For K-12 Students In Mississippi Schools (Source: mississippifreepress.org)
• Understanding September’s Asthma Toll on Children and Communities of Color (Source: cityviewnc.com)
• 1st of Its Kind SC School Nurse Leadership Program Aims to Mitigate Shortage (Source: wpde.com)

School nurses are often the initial access point to identify behavioral health concerns, determine interventions, and link families to school and community resources. It is important for school nurses to have the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate for their role as part of the school-based behavioral health team. NASN has launched a new no-cost NCPD program, Elevating the Role of School Nurses on School Behavioral Healthcare Teams, which aims to help school nurses: 

• Understand the best practices for creating an integrated, comprehensive, and effective school-based behavioral healthcare team. 
• Clearly articulate their role as part of the school-based behavioral healthcare team. 
• Collaborate effectively with other school staff, specialized instructional support personnel, and school administrators to create a comprehensive network of support for students and staff.

Related Resources: See NASN's Consensus Document, Elevating the Role of School Nurses in School-Based Mental and Behavioral Health.  

CDC has published the Vaccination in Rural America State of Vaccine Confidence Report, which emphasizes major themes influencing general vaccine confidence and uptake among rural populations in the United States between 2017-2023. Themes include: 

1. Residents in rural parts of the United States have concerns about vaccine safety, long-term side effects, effectiveness, and necessity. 
2. Differences exist in vaccine access and vaccine confidence between rural, suburban, and urban areas.  
3. Lack of government trust and the politicization of science may have contributed to lower vaccine uptake in rural areas. However, community outreach and utilizing trusted messengers can and has increased vaccine confidence in rural America. 

To find ways to take action on these themes, see the Ways Public Health and Partners Can Take Action to Improve Vaccine Confidence section.

The 2024 ANA Innovation Awards, sponsored by Stryker, is offering a $25,000 individual award and a $50,000 nurse-led team award, recognizing innovation in: 

• Care Delivery Models  
• Medical Device or Product 
• Educational Interventions 
• New Business, Program, or Service 
• Research 
• Technology 

The American Nurses Association Innovation Team is rapidly developing ways to expand innovation across the nursing profession. School nurses do remarkable, innovative work, and it would be great to see a school nurse elevated to the national stage—applications close on November 3, 2023, at midnight (eastern). ANA is hosting office hours on October 19 for more information.

Are you a school nurse impacting the lives of children and your school community? If so, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing researchers would like to hear from you! Participate in a short online survey to help them better understand loneliness and burnout among school nurses. You can click here or scan the QR code to participate. If you have questions, please contact Rachel E. Wood at [email protected]

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. students struggle to afford period products. PERIOD. started #PERIODACTIONDAY in 2019 to address this issue, named initially National Period Day. It has now been renamed and serves as a global day of advocacy to take action against period poverty and stigma. You can learn more about this initiative and find ways to get involved.

Related Resources: Check out this NASN School Nurse Chat podcast, where NASN President Kate King highlights what school nurses can do to achieve menstrual equity.

• 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 and Register

• 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

• Oregon School Nurses Association Fall Conference - At the Heart of School Nursing - November 3, 2023. Learn more and Register

• School Nurse Organization of Minnesota Fall Conference - Elevating School Nurse Practice - November 3-4, 2023. Learn more and Register



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

• Virginia Association of School Nurses 37th Annual Fall Conference - Connect, Engage and Energize for Well-Being! - November 4-5, 2023. Learn more and Register

• West Virginia Association of School Nurses 2023 Fall Conference - Coming Together as One - November 9-11, 2023. Learn more and Register

• 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.

National Health Observances Calendar

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

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