November 30, 2023

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Language Access for Families With Limited English Proficiency:

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President's Message

The holiday season is upon us, which means spending more time together. However, it also brings the risk of the flu and its serious consequences, so let's ensure we're prepared.


National Influenza Vaccination Week, Dec. 4-8, is an opportunity to encourage students and their families to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this season by getting a flu vaccine.


Millions of children get sick with the flu yearly, and thousands require hospitalization. Next week, we can remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: getting a flu vaccine.


You can find NASN's page devoted to seasonal flu here. Join the Association of Immunization Managers in building awareness for the 2023 National Influenza Vaccination Week with these sample social media posts. Explore resources from the CDC to use in your schools here.

Kate King, DNP, MS, RN, LSN

NASN President

Better Health. Better Learning.™ 

NASN News and Highlights

Navigating Data Privacy Laws

Join us this Tuesday, December 5, at 3 PM EST for the Data Privacy for School Nurses: Navigating the Complex Minefield of Privacy Laws webinar. School nurses can earn NCPD while enhancing their understanding of the legal framework governing data privacy and data sharing in schools and apply this knowledge to specific situations they encounter in their school nursing practice. Free for NASN members!

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

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Save the Dates for NASN2024

We are pleased to announce that we will once again offer both In-Person and Virtual conference events in 2024. NASN's 56th Annual Conference, NASN2024 Stronger Together, provides an excellent opportunity to connect with your peers, learn the newest trends and techniques in school nursing, and take your skills to the next level. Join us June 28 - July 1, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, virtually July 8 - 10, 2024, or both! More information will come in the new year.

Supporting Students Who Experience Pain

The school nurse plays a vital role in supporting children and adolescents experiencing pain. The open-access Journal of School Nursing article Adolescents' Experience of Pain: A Focus Group Study in Sweden reviews experiences of pain among students at upper secondary schools in Sweden. The study's findings provide valuable insights for school nurses in managing pain among this age group.


Sign up for New Content alerts for The Journal of School Nursing.

Career Resources in the NASN Employment Center

The NASN Employment Center allows you to browse job postings and offers several career advice articles and services. And if you're a NASN member, you can sign up for the Employment Center Job Flash to have job postings delivered straight to your inbox.


Are you an employer looking to find top industry talent at its source? The NASN Employment Center has upgrades available to ensure your job ad gets prime placement on and off the job board. Learn more.

The following is a paid advertisement



School Vision Screening Made Simple - Introducing the Titmus Kaleidos


We hear the same complaints from nurses about all hand-held vision screeners. Needing to turn off the lights, moving the unit back and forth, and fumbling with small devices. Now there is a solution…


Learn About The Titmus Kaleidos

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

Improving the Structure, Processes, and Outcomes of Medication Administration in Schools

Today’s students face more medically complex conditions and chronic health illnesses, and many require medication during the school day, while others require medication for acute health problems, medications for life-threatening emergencies, or as-needed medications for transient health issues, discomfort, or other symptoms. The NCPD program, School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Medication Administration in Schools, initially presented at Virtual NASN2022 and now in the NASN Learning Center, provides an overview of the CPG and highlights resources for implementing the CPG recommendations in your school nursing practice. Free for NASN members!

Related Resources: 

Not Yet a NASN Member? Discover the benefits of becoming a NASN member today! Take advantage of free online professional development programs and much more.

JOIN NOW

Improving School Community & Student Health

Free, Rapid, At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available for Schools

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, during this season when infection rates are typically higher, the U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is pleased to offer free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to interested local educational agencies. Schools can use this free COVID-19 test offering to stock school health and main offices with tests, send test kits home with students or families, or distribute by other means to put these valuable safeguards in the hands of students, families, and staff who need them. Find more information and participate in the COVID-19 Testing Supply Program.

School Safety Before, During, and After an Emergency

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center, administered by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, aims to enhance the preparedness capacity and act as the primary source of information dissemination for schools during emergencies. You can view their School Nurse Resource List highlighting the role of school nurses in supporting school safety before, during, and after an emergency.


Related Resources: NASN's Online School Emergency Triage Training Online (SETT) program equips the school nurse with the knowledge to develop and lead school first-aid teams.

Children & Disaster Threat, Hazard/Risk Assessment and Resilience

Whereas children comprise one-quarter of the U.S. population, the National Pediatric Disaster Coalition's (NPDC) mission is to advance community preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery for infants, children, and their families in disasters. NPDC offers resources you can use and share curated by disaster threats and hazards.


Related Resources: School nurses are key members of the disaster preparedness team. See NASN's page dedicated to Disaster Preparedness.

National Handwashing Awareness Week

Next week's National Handwashing Awareness Week is an excellent reminder that school-based programs promoting hand hygiene can result in fewer illnesses and missed school days. See the CDC's Hand Hygiene at School page to help promote hand hygiene at your school.

Mark Your Calendar

Data Privacy for School Nurses: Navigating the Complex Minefield of Privacy Laws


December 5, 2023


Learn more and register.

Save the Dates


In-Person: June 28-July 1, 2024


Virtual: July 8-10, 2024


Registration opens early next year!

State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences

  • Florida Association of School Nurses 28th Annual Conference - Reflect ♡ Refresh ♡ Refocus - February 2-3, 2024. Learn more and Register


  • California School Nurses Organization 74th Annual Conference - Stay the Course Through Advocacy and Support - February 8-11, 2024. Learn more and Register


  • Save the Date: Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners 2024 Annual Conference - March 22-24, 2024. Learn more.

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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