Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage October 9, 2025 New Resource — Caffeine & Teens What school nurses need to know. See who is running in the 2026 NASN election. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message This week marks both Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 5–11) and World Mental Health Day (October 10)—important reminders of the connection between physical and mental health in our school communities. As school nurses, we play a vital role in recognizing and addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by all students, including those living with chronic conditions, such as epilepsy. October 15 is SUDEP Action Day, dedicated to raising awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and empowering caregivers and educators through knowledge. NASN offers two valuable resources to help school nurses lead in this space: Epilepsy Care Considerations for School Nurses: Stigma and SUDEP — Learn more Mental Health Toolkit for School Nurses Caring for Students with Epilepsy — Access the toolkit Together, these tools provide essential guidance for reducing stigma, supporting student well-being, and ensuring that every student with epilepsy receives safe, compassionate, and informed care. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights NASN Reaffirms Support for School Immunization Requirements School nurses remain at the forefront of vaccination efforts. This week, NASN released its updated position statement, "Immunization and Vaccination Requirements," emphasizing the essential role of timely, up-to-date, and complete vaccinations in protecting students, staff, and communities from preventable, serious infectious diseases. NASN advocates for school immunization requirements to align with the best available, scientifically rigorous evidence. View the release.   Paid advertisement The newly updated School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text provides in-depth guidance on disease prevention and management in schools, school health leadership, and the evolving role of today's school nurse, available in both print and eBook formats.   Voices at the Table: Nurses Leading in Policy and Advocacy In this special episode of Beyond Bandaids, NASN CEO Terri Hinkley sits down with Senator Gale Adcock — a former school nurse and the first nurse elected to the North Carolina Senate — to explore how nurses can influence policy and advocacy at every level. Senator Adcock shares her inspiring journey from the school health office to the state senate, offering insights on the power of nursing leadership in shaping decisions that affect students, families, and communities. Listen now. Stay engaged and empowered as a school nurse advocate. Subscribe to Policy Pulse, NASN's advocacy-focused newsletter, keeping you informed on the latest policy developments impacting school nursing, education, and student health.   The following are paid advertisements   See what 7 out of 10 pediatricians prescribe for head lice! Learn more       Earn a PK-12 School Nurse Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. As a School Nurse, you can greatly make a difference in the lives of young children, our most vulnerable members of the community. If you’re ready to embark on a rewarding journey in the field of school nursing, submit an application. Get started now.   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. Hannibal School District Staff Undergoes Safety Training, From School Shooters to Asthma (Source: khqa.com) Ask the Experts: Tips From Local School Nurses to Keep Kids Healthy This School Year (Source: roscoenews.com) Sick at School? Utah Kids Can Now See a Doctor Right From the Nurse’s Office (Source: fox13now.com) Respiratory Care Board Rules in Schools’ Favor (Source: content.acsa.org) Easton Area School District Police Officer, Nurse, Act Fast to Help Save a Baby’s Life (Source: lehighvalleylive.com) Cooper High School Nurse Leads Cardiac Safety Initiative With Project Adam (Source: ktxs.com) Health Care District Honors Our Heroic First Responders (Source: southfloridahospitalnews.com) JCC, Falconer Partner On Nursing Program (Source: post-journal.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions Supporting Students with ME/CFS, POTS, and Other Chronic Conditions School nurses play a critical role in early identification and supporting students with chronic conditions like ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)—often misunderstood or misidentified as school anxiety or phobia. NASN's new professional development program helps school nurses better identify ME/CFS, connect co-morbidities, and take informed action to support student health and attendance. Learn more and complete the program. Related Resources: ME/CFS and Long-COVID: The School Nurse Role in Identifying Children with Chronic Illness (1.0 NCPD contact hour)   Improving School Community & Student Health Kaden’s Story: A Powerful Reminder of Why Flu Prevention Matters School nurses play a critical role in protecting students from the flu. Families Fighting Flu has launched a new comic book, Kaden Blaze Fights Flu Bug, designed to engage children and families in understanding the importance of annual flu vaccination. Explore this resource and more to help you educate and empower your school community in the fight against flu. Setting a New School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Research Agenda School systems depend on clear, evidence-based guidance to take meaningful action in improving indoor air quality (IAQ). Through NASN's participation in the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools project to develop a new School Indoor Air Quality Research Agenda, the vital perspectives of school nurses are helping shape research priorities that protect student health, reduce risks such as asthma and illness, and promote healthier learning environments. The Triple Protection of Tdap | Protecting Families This Viral Season Immunity from childhood vaccines doesn't always last forever, which is why it's important to encourage families to learn about a Tdap booster for their adolescents starting at ages 11–12. Learn about the advantages of a booster and more in Unity® Consortium's latest blog. Want to know what effective vaccine communication looks like in 2025? Listen to UNITY's latest FACTSinnated episode discussing ways to support families facing a flood of misinformation, reinforce confidence in vaccination, and navigate policy changes like school vaccine rollbacks.   Mark Your Calendar   NASN2025: Deadline to Earn NCPD for Both In-Person and Virtual October 10 Earn NCPD for: In-Person Virtual Deadline: NASN2026 Presentation Submissions October 10 Learn more and submit your proposal. Webinar: Identifying Children with Hearing Loss — The Key Role of School Nurses in Evidence-Based Screening October 15 Learn more and register. Application Deadline: NASN Scholarships October 15 Learn more and apply. Proposal Submission Deadline: NASN Research Grants October 31 Learn more and submit.   State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences School Nurse Organization of Washington 2025 Fall Conference - School Nurses: Adapting to a Changing World - October 10-11. Learn more. 2025 Texas School Nurses Organization Conference - School Nurses: Innovating School Health - November 1-2. Learn more. Colorado Association of School Nurses Annual Fall Conference - Stronger Together: Building Connections, Empowering Practice, Advancing Learning - November 7-9. Learn more. Virginia Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of School Nursing - November 8-9. Learn more. Tennessee Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Bridging the Gap - November 9-11. Learn more. 2025 Indiana Association of School Nurses Annual Conference - Building Bridges - November 10-11. Learn more. West Virginia Association of School Nurses 2025 Fall Conference - November 13-15. Learn more. Utah School Nurse Association Fall Conference - November 14. Learn more. School Nurse Organization of Minnesota 2025 Conference - November 14-15. Learn more. Delaware School Nurse Association 2025 Fall Conference - November 20. 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 2025 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.   NASN | nasn.org National Association of School Nurses | 1100 Wayne Avenue Suite 925 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice