Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage A new year is the perfect time to invest in your practice and professional growth. NASN membership provides access to evidence-based resources, continuing education, advocacy, career support, and a national community dedicated exclusively to school nurses. Join NASN and start the year informed, connected, and supported. January 8, 2026 Stay Connected With the Latest in School Health and Nursing Sign up for New Content alerts for NASN School Nurse and The Journal of School Nursing. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message NASN has issued a statement regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's announced changes to childhood immunization recommendations that reduce the number of vaccines recommended for U.S. children. Changes of this magnitude, when not grounded in rigorous, transparent, and evidence-based review, risk undermining disease prevention, creating confusion for families, and destabilizing immunization implementation in schools. School nurses are instrumental in implementing immunization requirements, supporting families, and addressing questions that arise at the intersection of health policy and education. This work depends on clear, consistent federal guidance grounded in scientific evidence. NASN supports childhood immunization recommendations that align with established scientific consensus, developed in collaboration with pediatric, nursing, and public health experts. School nurses remain committed to advancing prevention, promoting health equity, and ensuring every student is healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights See What School Nurses Are Talking About Wondering what issues school nurses are navigating right now? NASN's All Member Forum is where school nurses connect, problem-solve, and share best practices with peers nationwide. Top December Discussions: RN supervision of LPNs AED units in schools Overnight field trips Head injury assessment tips after the first snowfall Encopresis   Paid advertisement Join NASN’s Team — Nursing Education and Practice Specialist NASN is seeking a Nursing Education and Practice Specialist to advance school nursing through education, resource development, and practice support.  Closing Date: 01/21/2026. Learn more and apply. Reducing Youth Vaping and Cultivating Long-Term Health Awareness Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as vapes or e-cigarettes, have gained significant popularity among adolescents, raising concerns about their short- and long-term health effects. The NASN School Nurse article, "Mitigating the Youth Vaping Epidemic Through Health Education" (Sager et al., 2025), discusses the hazards associated with ENDS, misconceptions about their safety, and strategies for effectively addressing youth vaping, with a focus on the school nurse, who plays a pivotal role in this effort. For more evidence-based resources and to learn how to implement an effective, engaging vaping program at your school, see NASN's Vanquishing Vaping Toolkit. Become a NASN member for full access to this article and other exclusive resources that empower school nurses to lead, advocate, and make an impact. 2026 NASN Elections: Meet the Candidates The NASN election will be held online beginning in March. This year, NASN members with an "Active" membership type are eligible to vote for a Vice President and a Nominating Committee member. Visit to learn more and see candidate data and statements of view.   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       Everything You Need, When You Need It No more hunting through files or waiting on outdated systems. Instant access to supplies, previous orders, shopping lists, resources, and support–all in one place. Because every second counts. Access everything in no time at all. Shop 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. U.S. Vaccination Rates Are Plunging. Look Up Where Your School Stands. (Source: washingtonpost.com) Caring Beyond the Clinic: How School Nurse Kelly Gillespie Supports Students and Staff (Source: scsmh.education.uiowa.edu) Former Belton ISD Student Returns as School Nurse to Give Back to Her Community (Source: fox44news.com) FCS Teacher, Nurse Help Woman Who Fell In Her Driveway (Source: wfin.com) New Comprehensive Toolkit Streamlines Health Services in Iowa Schools, Programs (Source: educate.iowa.gov) Quick-Thinking School Nurses Save Teacher’s Life in Collier County (Source: winknews.com) The Single Hire of a School Nurse Makes an Exponential Difference (Source: veanea.org) District Honors Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Staff for Saving Kindergartener’s Life (Source: liherald.com) Polk County Nurses Attend North Carolina School Nursing Conference (Source: tryondailybulletin.com) Free Menstrual Products Available at Milwaukee Public School (Source: jsonline.com) Dispatch from the Classroom: An Inside Look Into Endometriosis Education with ENPOWR (Source: endofound.org) Narcan in Schools? Educators React to Proposed Legislation (Source: community.triblive.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions Coordinating Care to Support Students and Families Affected by Chronic Health Conditions January is Thyroid Awareness Month, a reminder that thyroid disorders—while often associated with adults—are the most common endocrine disorder among school-age children. With the increased prevalence of students managing chronic conditions, school nurses play a critical role in ensuring they are supported, safe, and ready to learn. Through care coordination—a core principle of NASN's School Nursing Practice Framework™—school nurses oversee and align multiple evidence-based components and interventions to support student health and well-being and help students thrive. Explore NASN's Chronic Health Condition Management resources to support students with ongoing health needs and take a closer look at the principle of care coordination.   Improving School Community & Student Health Make 2026 the Year You Become an NCSN Registration for the Spring National School Nurse Certification (NCSN) exam is now open, with the exam window running March 1–April 5, but don't wait. Early bird pricing ends January 18. Learn more about the exam, explore exam prep materials, and reach out to [email protected] with questions—you've got this! Healthcare Innovation Thrives at HIMSS26: March 9-12 | Las Vegas As health care rapidly evolves, nurses play a critical role in integrating new technologies to improve care. The HIMSS26 Global Health Conference & Exhibition offers cutting-edge insights, hands-on learning, and networking with industry leaders—and NASN members can register at the HIMSS Collaborator Rate (member rate) using code NASN26 when prompted. Register today and save. Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning: Data in the School Nursing World Lead poisoning can affect any child if exposed to pollutants—it does not discriminate. With this program, presented initially at Virtual NASN2024, you will explore the critical role that school nurses play in statewide lead-poisoning prevention efforts and gain tools and confidence to track and use lead-screening data to strengthen leadership and advocacy efforts. 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. Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP) Annual Conference - Advocate. Innovate. Elevate. - March 20-22, 2026. Learn more. 2026 Missouri Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - School Nurses: Essential Link in Lifelong Health - March 27-29, 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