New NASN School Nurse Journal Issue and Podcast Available

The January 2025 issue of NASN School Nurse features several research articles, a letter from NASN President Kate King, and an editorial. Here are a few highlights:

• Current and Future Treatment of Food Allergies
• Practicing With a Framework Mindset: A Closer Look at the Principle of Leadership
• Public Perceptions of School Nurses: Results From a Recent Public Opinion Poll

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Listen to the latest NASN School Nurse podcast to hear Editor Cathy Yonkaitis interview the authors of the article "The Role of the School Nurse in Social-Emotional Assessment and Intervention Using the MTSS Framework."

Related Resources: Learn more about using the MTSS Framework and earn NCPD with

• Incorporating MTSS into School Health Services to Promote Health Equity
• Improving MTSS Systems of Care for Student Mental Health: Tier 1-3
• Data Driving Decisions in the Health Office

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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.

• Two Binghamton Nursing Faculty Teamed Up to Create National Asthma Guidelines for Schools. Here’s What Inspired Them (Source: binghamton.edu)
• Advice From the School Nurse: Health Tips Every Parent Needs to Know (Source: riseandshine.childrensnational.org)
• Limb-Loss Lessons From the Robotic Nurse (Source: livingwithamplitude.com)
• Grant Helps Provide Menstrual Hygiene Products in Southeast Kansas Schools (Source: fourstateshomepage.com)
• Elkhorn 2nd Graders Find Joy Reading to a Furry Friend with a Special Legacy (Source: excelsiorcitizen.com)
• Nipmuc Regional High School Hosts Fully Booked Blood Drive Helping Boston Children’s Hospital (Source: jgpr.net)
• Helping Tooth Care (Source: easttexasnews.com)

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, which emphasizes the vital role of the thyroid, encourages testing, and promotes early treatment. Although hypothyroidism is more common in adults, it is the most common thyroid disorder in children. It can lead to signs such as slow growth, lack of activity, and poor academic performance. 

The school nurse is well positioned to support the health and academic success of students with chronic health conditions, including hypothyroidism, by providing direct care and facilitating the many practice components of the Care Coordination principle of NASN's School Nursing Practice Framework™.

Visit NASN's Chronic Health Condition Management web page to locate key resources for building school communities that support students with chronic health conditions. Resources include the Improving Care Coordination for Students with Chronic Health Conditions Toolkit and the Managing Chronic Health Conditions in Schools: Model School Wellness Policy Supplement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents and caregivers to reduce unnecessary absences, learn about attendance policies where they live, and prioritize getting their children to school on time every day. You can share these tips from AAP's Parenting Website, healthychildren.org, with families in your school communities.

Related Resources: NASN's new Attendance resource web page

The CDC recently released the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Notes from the Field: School-Based Surveillance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Trends and Impact on School Attendance by Students and Staff Members — Missouri, Fall 2024, highlighting a trend in cases of M. pneumoniae infection detected through a school surveillance platform and how school-based surveillance can support clinical and public health decision-making, including implementation of preventive measures against respiratory illnesses in schools during the fall and winter respiratory season.

Related Resources: NASN's School Nurse-Led Active Surveillance Manual

Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, yet it may be present at dangerous levels in homes and buildings. It is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America, causing about 21,000 deaths annually. Radon exposure is preventable, and the EPA and U.S. Surgeon General encourage all Americans to test their homes, schools, and other buildings for radon. Learn more and spread the word.

Related Resources: Join CDC in observing Radon Awareness Week on January 27-31.

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 2025 calendar. 

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No endorsement is intended or implied.