Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage November 20, 2025 We Will Not Publish the Weekly Digest on November 27. Protect the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  Use NASN's Action Center to write your senators and representative. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message The impacts on school nursing continue, and NASN is responding in real time. This week, we are submitting formal comments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Policy to ensure that school nurse expertise is fully represented in national vaccine policy discussions. Comments are open to the public, and we encourage you to make yours here by November 24. We are also preparing a statement on the U.S. Department of Education, as significant regulatory shifts continue to emerge that impact funding for nursing student loans and the very definition of "professional degree" programs, where ED has excluded nursing, threatening efforts to strengthen and grow our nursing workforce. Stay tuned—your voice, your practice, and your profession remain at the center of our advocacy. As Public Health Thank You Day approaches and we head into Thanksgiving, we honor the vital role school nurses play in supporting the health and well-being of entire school communities. Your leadership fosters resilient learning environments that are safe, supportive, and equitable for all. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights NASN Employment Center: AI Summaries & Insights Now Available You can now access AI-driven summaries and tailored insights on job descriptions and career advice articles in the NASN Employment Center. With a single click, quickly review key points from job posts to help you assess fit and apply with confidence. You can also scan concise overviews and key takeaways from Career Advice articles to focus on the content that best supports your professional growth.   Paid advertisement Why NASN’s School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text Matters to Your School Nursing Practice The thoroughly updated fourth edition is a trusted resource that clearly illustrates the school nurse role and combines evidence-based pediatric, mental health, and public health guidance with practical tools for daily practice. Key features include leadership strategies, real-world practice examples, fast-fact callouts, and comprehensive content that supports both new and experienced school nurses. Whether you're strengthening your practice, mentoring others, or seeking a reliable reference, this resource is your go-to guide for high-quality school health care. Learn more and get your copy. Applications Due November 30: Fellows of the National Academy of School Nursing NASN is accepting nominations for Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of School Nursing through November 30. The honor of Fellow is the most prestigious recognition members can receive from NASN, and the esteemed Honorary Fellow award honors non-nurses who are leaders in their fields and partner with school nurses to elevate and advance the health of children and youth. Learn more and submit applications.     The following are paid advertisements   Supporting Kids’ Mental Health: A Guide for Parents Provide parents with the tools to support their kids’ mental health and empower kids to say “NO” to unhealthy coping strategies like underage drinking. 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. SJSD Implements Cardiac Care in Schools (Source: kq2.com) Springfield Public Schools Partners With Local Nonprofit to Support Families in Need (Source: ky3.com) Catching Up With The ‘Cats: Lori Kowalski (’81) (Source: villanovan.com) Kentucky Nurses Association Names Liz Sturgeon as Nurse of the Year (Source: wku.edu) Merrimack School Gets Another $5K for Flex Farm (Source: cabinet.com) Blake Bass Middle School Honors Veterans With Ceremony (Source: times-herald.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions Implementing a Comprehensive Brain Injury Plan Brain injuries can significantly affect a student's ability to learn, engage, and thrive—and school nurses are essential in ensuring early identification, coordinated support, and equitable care. NASN's NCPD program, What's Your Brain Injury Plan? Building Equitable and Stronger Learning Environments Together, presented initially at Virtual NASN2024, is part of the Back-to-School Success Series of 15 programs (17.0 NCPD contact hours) and is FREE with membership. The educational offering takes a practical, equity-centered look at why every school needs a comprehensive brain injury plan and how collaborative interventions can strengthen outcomes for all students.   Improving School Community & Student Health Prevent Blindness Launches New Resource for Diabetes-Related Eye Health The new free Prevent Blindness Eye Health Audio Library is a valuable resource for individuals with diabetes, caregivers, and families. Offering 24/7 access to critical diabetes eye health information, accessible via voice commands in both English and Spanish, the library is vetted by medical experts and carefully reviewed to provide information on diabetes-related eye disease, eye exam preparation and scheduling, condition management strategies, and more. Children's Oral Health: Fluoride FAQs School nurses coordinate oral health education for students, parents, and school staff. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued new recommendations about fluoride supplements. The AAP parenting website HealthyChildren.org helps to answer common questions families may have about fluoride safety, benefits, and age-appropriate recommendations. School nurses can also use ADA's free "Fluoridation Facts" as a resource to share evidence-based information.     With Gratitude This Thanksgiving As we reflect on the season of thanks, NASN extends our heartfelt appreciation to our Strategic Sponsors. Your support strengthens our mission, champions school nurses nationwide, and advances the health and well-being of students, families, and school communities. We are truly grateful for your commitment and collaboration. Learn more about NASN's corporate supporters and the sponsor program.     Mark Your Calendar   Application Deadline: Fellows of the National Academy of School Nursing Nominations November 30 Learn more. Save the Date: NASN2026 Stronger Together  In-Person | June 29 - July 2, 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada Virtual | Dates to be announced | Online    State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences Delaware School Nurse Association 2026 Spring Conference - March 7, 2026. Learn more. Maryland Association of School Health Nurses Annual Conference - Set Sail: Trends and Treatments in School Nursing Practice - March 14, 2026. Learn more. 2026 Alaska School Nurses Association Spring Conference - Northern Lights of School Nursing: Illuminating Best Practices - April 24-25, 2026. Learn more. Ohio Association of School Nurses 53rd Annual School Nurse Conference - April 17-18, 2026. Learn more.  2026 New England School Nurse Conference - Elevating Excellence - May 1-3, 2026. 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