February 15, 2024

President's Message

During Black History Month, we recognize and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments and achievements of the generations of African Americans throughout our nation's history. Reflecting on and showcasing diverse influential leaders in medicine and beyond can influence, inspire, and motivate current and future medical professionals and us all.

Also, in February, we observe National Children's Dental Health Month. Schools and school nurses can play a significant role in enhancing the oral health of students and families. Oral health concerns are the most common chronic disease in school-age youth. You can visit NASN's page dedicated to Oral Health, a one-stop location for oral health teaching resources, continuing education resources, and locating partners and protocols for prevention and treatment programs. We have included more dental health resources further down in this issue of the Weekly Digest.

Kate King, DNP, MS, RN, LSN

NASN President

Better Health. Better Learning.™

NASN News and Highlights

Registration opens next week for NASN2024! NASN's 56th Annual Conference offers two separate learning events: In-Person NASN2024, June 28 – July 1, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, and Virtual NASN2024, July 8 – 10, 2024, online. Check out the Justification Toolkit for reasons to attend face-to-face, virtually, or both. We can't wait for you to join us because school nurses are stronger together!

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NASN's Kimberly Stanislo Awarded Academic Mentor

Kimberly Stanislo, DNP, APRN-CNP, LSN, CPNP-PC, NASN's Research Education and Practice Director, received the 2023-24 Academic Mentor Award from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, where she is an adjunct instructor of nursing. One of her students wrote an essay explaining how Stanislo's guidance influenced their individual growth.

Current and Future Treatment of Food Allergies

Food allergy prevalence is rapidly growing among school-age children in the US, posing a significant health concern in school settings. The NASN School Nurse article, Current and Future Treatment of Food Allergies, aims to provide an overview of the current state of food allergy treatment options, emergency food allergy care plans, and using epinephrine autoinjectors. The article emphasizes the crucial role of school nurses in recognizing the treatment options currently available to students and their families, as well as fostering a safe environment for students with food allergies.

Related Resources:

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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.

‘Extremely Grateful:’ Florence Co. School Nurse Honored After Saving 11-Year-Old’s Life (Source: wpde.com)
‘We Do So Much More Than Just Give out Band-Aids,’ Bryan ISD School Nurse Weighs in on Nationwide Shortage (Source: kbtx.com)
School Nurses Play Critical Role in HPV Vaccination Promotion and Compliance (Source: publichealth.gmu.edu)
Mrs. Pargas Earns Nat’l Cert. School Nurse Credential (Source: maranausd.org)
AZ House Votes to Equip Schools and Nurses With Critical Diabetes Drug (Source: azmirror.com)
Are Schools Prepared to Respond if a Student’s Heart Stops? Data Shows Some Aren’t (Source: wfyi.org)
The Relentless School Nurse: Let’s Break Through the Misconceptions About School Nursing in 2024! May 8th is OUR DAY! (Source: relentlessschoolnurse.com)
Helping Students See Clearly: Here’s What You Need To Know (Source: dpi.wi.gov)

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

Evidence-Based Practice for Students with Seizures and Epilepsy

As champions of student health, school nurses are uniquely positioned to educate staff, students, parents, and families about Seizures and Epilepsy. Generalized seizure first aid training and knowledge for the school nurse and the staff as well as the students and families:

Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and hospitalization.
Better plan for and manage seizure episodes.
Reduce hesitation to provide seizure first aid.

NASN's new no-cost School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG): Students with Seizures and Epilepsy based on the latest and highest-quality evidence available includes practice recommendations and strategies to assist school nurses in improving the health and safety of the school-aged child with seizures and epilepsy.

The School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy CPG Implementation Toolkit is also available to provide the school nurse with template care planning tools and educational materials to assist in implementing the CPG recommendations into practice.

Related Resources: Explore NASN’s Epilepsy Practice Page and discover the wealth of NCPD available focused on the nursing care of students with epilepsy.

Improving School Community & Student Health

Children’s Dental Health Resources

The Campaign for Dental Health, a program of the American Academy of Pediatrics, was created to ensure that people of all ages have access to the most effective, affordable, and equitable way to protect teeth from decay — community water fluoridation. Learn more and find shareable resources.

Often, children who have poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don't. This collection of CDC resources can be shared in your school communities to help educate on and protect against tooth decay.

New Activity Books to Help Kids and Teens After a COVID Death

Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families is excited to announce that the Brave of Heart Activity Books for teens and kids coping with loss due to COVID-19 are now available in English and Spanish. You can access them through the links provided below.

Coordinates: Finding Your Way When Someone Dies of COVID-19 (English version, Spanish version) – Teen Journal
Remembering Together: An Activity Book for Kids who are Grieving a COVID-19 Death (English version, Spanish version) – Kids Journal

Related Resources: NASN School Nurse article: Grief in School-Aged Youth (NASN membership includes both print and online subscriptions to NASN School Nurse)

A Retreat for Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses & Their Families

Camp Sunshine, 100% free for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, is a much-needed, one-of-a-kind experience that offers fun, safety, and connection. Families will find support from a community of peers who understand what each other is going through. Camp Sunshine is now accepting 2024 applications for families and volunteers. You can learn more or apply.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Introduces NIAAA for Middle School

NIAAA has a new web resource, NIAAA for Middle School, which contains interactive activities to help parents, caregivers, and teachers of middle school students introduce and reinforce key messages about peer pressure, resistance skills, and other important topics related to underage drinking.

Mark Your Calendar

HIMSS24: Global Conference & Exhibition

March 11-15, 2024

Connect, collaborate, and create with the brightest minds in health information and technology.

View registration instructions.

2024 NASN Election

Election Dates:

March 15 - April 15, 2024 (conducted online)

Meet the candidates.

Save the Dates

In-Person:

June 28-July 1, 2024

Virtual: July 8-10, 2024

Registration opens next week!

State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences

Maryland Association of School Health Nurses Conference 2023 - Changing Tides: Current Trends, Research and Management in School Nursing - March 9, 2024. Learn more and Register.

New Jersey State School Nurses Association Spring 2024 Conference - SCHOOL NURSES Make the Impossible, POSSIBLE - March 15-16, 2024. Learn more and Register.

School Nurse Organization of Washington - Spring Virtual Conference - Moving Forward with a Renewed Mindset - March 14-16, 2024. Learn more and Register.

Vermont State School Nurses Association Spring Conference - March 16, 2024. Learn more and Register.

Delaware School Nurse Association Spring Conference 2024 - March 22-23, 2024. Learn more.

Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners 2024 Annual Conference - Opening Doors to School Health - March 22-24, 2024. Learn more and Register.

New York State Association of School Nurses Annual Conference - Emergency Care in Schools - April 5-6, 2024. Learn more and Register.

Missouri Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - Giving Students the Best of Us - Apr 13-14, 2024. Learn more and Register.

Ohio Association of School Nurses 2024 Annual Conference - Our Future is Bright - Apr 19-21, 2024. Learn more and Register.

Wisconsin Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - Level Up School Nursing Practice in Wisconsin - Apr 29-May 1, 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 2024 calendar.

OBSERVANCES CALENDAR

Acceptance of advertising on the top or bottom ad banner or other ad placements in this newsletter or resource information listed within in no way implies endorsement of advertised or listed products or services by NASN.

No endorsement is intended or implied.