Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage December 18, 2025 The Weekly Digest Will Pause for the Holidays — Back January 8, 2026 Save the Date: Registration Opens in Mid-February Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message As another challenging and meaningful year comes to an end, I want to thank you for the leadership, advocacy, and steady presence you bring to your work every day. Your impact is felt in classrooms, communities, and lives—often in ways that go unseen, but never unimportant. In times of strain and uncertainty, you bring clarity, compassion, and skilled care. This year, we have strengthened the role of the school nurse, amplified our collective voice, and continued to advocate for student health, safety, and equity. We have made meaningful progress, but there is still significant work ahead. NASN remains committed to empowering you: elevating your role, amplifying your voice, and ensuring you are supported as you lead through what comes next. You do not lead alone. As the year closes, I hope you find time for rest, renewal, and pride in all you have achieved. Together, we will keep moving forward—stronger, united, and focused on the work that matters most. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights Your Voice Matters: Help Shape the Future of School Nursing NASN invites school nurses to participate in the 2025-2026 National School Nurse Workforce Study Survey. Your confidential responses will directly inform NASN's national advocacy and workforce planning efforts. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is open to school nurses with an active license who are currently providing school nursing services. Request the survey and make your voice heard.   Paid advertisement Stay Connected With the Latest in School Health and Nursing As the only professional organization dedicated solely to advancing and empowering school nurses, NASN offers members subscriptions to NASN School Nurse and The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN)—trusted, peer-reviewed resources that keep you informed on the latest clinical guidance, research, and emerging issues in school health. Sign up to receive content alerts for new articles, issues, and research delivered directly to your inbox.  Not a NASN member yet? Join today! Get NASN School Nurse Alerts Get JOSN Alerts Holiday Giving That Makes a Real Impact for School Nurses & Schools Each term, the NASN President selects an Endowment Fund Challenge, and President Lynn Nelson's theme—Leading with Courage, Clarity & Purpose—reflects the urgent need to strengthen and elevate school nursing. Since its creation, the NASN Endowment Fund has supported grants, scholarships, and research that advance school nursing practice and improve the health of school communities by expanding access to school nurses and high-quality school-based health services. This holiday season, consider making a gift of any amount to help sustain and grow this impact.   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. Farmington Nurse Named School Nurse Administrator of the Year (Source: hometownsource.com) ISD 544’s Kohorst Named SNOM School Nurse of the Year (Source: fergusfallsjournal.com) Narcan Supplied in Savannah-Chatham Schools Since 2022 (Source: wsav.com) Cellphone Ban for NJ Students Looms (Source: njspotlightnews.org) Hockinson Heights Elementary Alum Returns as School Nurse (Source: columbian.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions School Breaks and Student Mental Health School breaks offer a welcome pause from busy schedules but can also bring stressors for students and families as routines and settings change. To help maintain balance and support mental health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has gathered helpful school resources to keep families on track during this time. NASN offers a robust collection of tools, position statements, and professional development resources to help school nurses support the mental wellbeing of students. Visit the NASN Mental Health resource page to explore evidence-based guidance and supports.   Improving School Community & Student Health Healthy Holidays: Caring for Yourself and Your Community The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it's also when flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and RSV spread most easily. School nurses play a vital role in protecting school communities by promoting vaccination, addressing misinformation, and providing trusted, evidence-based guidance to students, families, and staff. Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity and Progress (CVEEP)—in collaboration with the American Lung Association—offers shareable resources to help school nurses protect their communities throughout the fall and winter. Are You Ready to Protect Your Students in a Disaster? Natural and man-made disasters are increasing at an unprecedented rate, and students and school communities depend on the school nurse's training in disaster response. With this program, presented initially at Virtual NASN2024, you will gain practical insight into the school nurse's role in disaster response, the importance of collaboration, and available resources to strengthen preparedness and address training gaps. Access this program plus 14 additional self-paced courses with NASN membership—17.0 NCPD contact hours valued at $300. Your membership pays for itself. Learn more.   Mark Your Calendar   HIMSS26: Global Conference & Exhibition March 9-12, 2026 NASN members receive a special discounted rate. Learn more. Save the Date: National School Nurse Day 2026 May 6, 2026 Stay tuned—the School Nurse Day proclamation and logo will be available in early 2026. Save the Date: NASN2026 Stronger Together June 29 - July 2, 2026 Las Vegas, Nevada Caesars Palace Registration, room block, and website will open in mid-February   State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences 2026 Illinois Association of School Nurses Spring Conference – Ready to Respond: A School Nurse Summit - February 20-21, 2026. Learn more. 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 Missouri Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - School Nurses: Essential Link in Lifelong Health - March 28-29, 2026. Learn more. 2026 Iowa School Nurse Conference - April 9-10, 2026. Learn more. Utah School Nurse Association Spring Conference - April 16-17, 2026. Learn more. Ohio Association of School Nurses 53rd Annual School Nurse Conference - April 17-18, 2026. Learn more. 2026 Alaska School Nurses Association Spring Conference - Northern Lights of School Nursing: Illuminating Best Practices - April 24-25, 2026. Learn more. 2026 Wisconsin Association of School Nurses Annual Conference - Investing in Children: The Value of School Nurses - April 27-29, 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 2026 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