Should Schools Mandate Vaccines? See Kate King on CNN | |
On December 17, NASN President Kate King discussed why vaccine requirements are important, the critical role of school nurses in vaccine education, helping parents and caregivers make informed decisions, and what it would mean if school mandates were removed. Watch the CNN segment.
Visit NASN's updated Immunizations resource web page to locate journal articles, NCPD programs, immunization schedules, toolkits, and more related to this topic.
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NASN Visits Cuba, Thank You to School Health! | | |
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In early December, NASN President Kate King led a delegation of NASN members to visit Havana, Cuba, through CulturalVistas for a unique opportunity to explore the intersection between the healthcare and education systems there, with a special focus on the pivotal role of the school nurse. These leaders, who experienced our specialized practice of nursing through the eyes of our international counterparts, were overjoyed to distribute generous donations received from School Health, a national, full-service provider of health supplies and services to professionals in educational settings from preschool to college. | |
The Journal of School Nursing Reviewer Recognition | As NASN's official research publication, The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN) provides a bimonthly peer-reviewed forum for improving the health of school-age children and the school community. Please take a look and help us acknowledge the list of reviewers whose commitment to scholarly publication and critiques of submitted manuscripts generously served their peers and school nursing science from September 2023 to September 2024.
NASN membership includes digital and online subscriptions to JOSN. | |
Check out this month's JOSN podcast: "Become a Journal Reviewer: A Vital Component of Lifelong Learning." You can listen today to unlock new opportunities for growth and engagement in the field!
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Become a Student Sleep Advocate | |
Delayed school start times are a hot topic nationwide, with studies showing that 58% to 73% of middle and high school students experience insufficient sleep, causing increased mood lability, ADHD, increased tardiness/absences, flares of pre-existing medical conditions, depression, and suicidality, as well as other increased risk-taking behavior. Learn about the Wake Up and Learn program and become a student sleep advocate with NASN's NCPD program, "Sleep: The Untapped Tool to Optimize Health, Mental Wellness, Decision Making, and Academic Success," initially presented at Virtual NASN2023 and now available in the NASN Learning Center. | |
The following is a paid advertisement | |
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Public Health Foundation’s Immunization Resources,
Free + On-Demand
Learn how to support routine vaccination catch-up among school-aged children with the updated toolkit based on the CDC’s Let’s RISE strategies. Download it and other free resources by clicking here.
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School Nurses in the News | | |
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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.
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Managing Chronic Health Conditions | | |
Opportunities for School Systems to Improve Mental Health Accessibility and Equity | |
This month, NASN's Karen Graf represented NASN and all school nurses at the National Center for School Mental Health's 2024 Annual Conference. At the event, Dr. Deborah Tyndall's poster presentation titled "A National Study of School Nurse Inclusivity in School-Based Suicide Prevention Programs: Dismantling Exclusive Practices" provided policy recommendations and best practices to enhance school nurse inclusivity in suicide prevention programs. This presentation and the article Tyndall co-authored for JOSN, "School-Based Suicide Prevention Efforts: The Impact of School Nurse Exclusivity on Moral Distress," highlight and demonstrate the vital role of school nurses as integral members of the mental health team.
Related Resources:
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Improving School Community & Student Health | | |
Raise Awareness About the Importance of Safe Firearm Storage | |
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Did you know unintentional shootings increase around major U.S. holidays? Preventing access to unsecured firearms is particularly important in reducing accidental shootings among youth. It is critical to remember the importance of safe gun storage in keeping families and our communities safe during the holiday season and beyond. Help spread the word about safe gun storage options.
Related Resources: "School Nurses Can Reduce Firearm Injuries and Deaths," listen to the podcast.
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DEA Launches Together for Families Network | |
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Families play a key role in preventing and responding to substance use. There are thousands of professionals and volunteers involved in all types of organizations who are in positions to help families help their loved ones. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced the launch of the Together for Families network, intended to be a portal where families and local organizations that serve families can access resources and information to help learn more about substance abuse and take action.
Related Resources: NASN's free Naloxone Education Toolkit assists school nurses and other school leaders in evaluating and responding to the drug overdose crisis.
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Innovative Nursing Strategies Increasing Health and Educational Equity | |
Learn to build programs based on the current and changing needs of schools and communities and delve into the critical role of school nurses in improving equitable access to healthcare with NASN's program "Increasing Health and Educational Equity for Keiki in Schools Through Innovative Nursing Strategies" while earning NCPD. The session initially presented at NASN2023 and now in the Learning Center, highlights the Hawaii Keiki program, which began in 2014 and has successfully improved access to rural communities and reduced health disparities using technology and nursing innovation. | |
| Webinar: Health Impacts of Federal Climate Investments
January 22
Learn more. | Submission Deadline: NASN School Nurse Journal Cover Contest
January 30
Learn more. | | |
Save the Dates
In-Person | June 26 - 29, 2025 | Austin, Texas
Virtual | July 7 - 9, 2025 | Online
We are excited for you to join us in person, virtually, or both! The justification toolkit for these two separate educational conferences, including conference fees, will be available soon, and the registration room block and website will open in mid-February.
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State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences | |
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California School Nurse Organization 75th Annual Conference - Ignite, Unite, Transform: Spark the Change - February 13-16, 2025. Learn more.
Annual Maryland Association of School Health Nurses Conference - School Nursing: Bridging the Gap for Academic Success - March 8, 2025. Learn more.
Ohio Association of School Nurses 52nd Annual School Nurse Conference - It’s a Good Day to be a School Nurse, Choose Joy - March 14-15, 2025. Save the date!
Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners Conference - March 21-23, 2025. Save the date!
Missouri Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - Navigating the Wilderness of School Health - March 28-30, 2025. Save the date!
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NASN Calendar of Events
This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the calendar.
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National Health Observances Calendar
This calendar lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics. Access the 2024 calendar.
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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.
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