Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage January 29, 2026 Credentials Matter New NASN Position Brief: Nurse as a Legally Protected Title in Schools School Nurse Workforce Survey Closes March 1 Request your survey now. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message Like many of you and our nursing colleagues nationwide, I am deeply saddened by recent ICE-related events, including the tragic death of nurse Alex Pretti. This is a painful moment that raises difficult questions for our communities and our nation. NASN’s vision remains clear: all children must be healthy, safe, and ready to learn. When fear, trauma, and instability affect families and communities, children are directly impacted—often with lasting consequences. School nurses witness these effects every day. NASN remains committed to advocating for environments where every child is treated with dignity and protected from harm. We will continue to support trauma-informed, culturally responsive care; advance policies that protect children’s health and safety; and elevate school nurses as leaders in school and community health. We urge policymakers to prioritize children’s well-being and will continue to provide guidance and advocate for conditions that support student health and learning. Please take care of yourselves, your families, and your communities. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights NASN 2026 Lillian Wald Award NASN has named Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) as the recipient of the 2026 Lillian Wald Legislator/Public Policy Award for her leadership in advancing the Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere (NURSE) Act to strengthen access to school nursing in rural and underserved communities. “Congresswoman Kiggans exemplifies the spirit of the Lillian Wald Award through her lifelong commitment to service, health care, and advocacy for families and communities,” said NASN President Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN. View the press release.   Paid advertisement National School Nurse Day 2026 | May 6 Start planning now for National School Nurse Day on May 6, 2026. The official proclamation and logo are now available to support early outreach and recognition efforts, with proclamation requests taking up to eight weeks to process. A social media toolkit will be released in April to help amplify the vital role and impact of school nurses nationwide. Essential Legal Insights for Today’s School Nurses Navigating legal challenges is part of today's school nursing practice. The Legal Survival Series for School Nurses equips you with essential knowledge to help protect your license, your practice, and your students. This on-demand educational bundle offers 4.0 NCPD contact hours and addresses key legal issues school nurses face—helping you feel confident, informed, and prepared, whether you're new to school nursing or a seasoned professional. Special member pricing available!   New Year, New Goals: Help Students Quit Vaping for a Healthier Future A new guest blog from NASN Strategic Sponsor UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights highlights how school nurses can support students who want to quit vaping, address common misconceptions, and promote healthier choices in the year ahead. Read how evidence-based education and trusted guidance can make a lasting difference for students.   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       Discover Better Deals We have a comprehensive inventory from basic supplies to specialized equipment. Unlock true savings. 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. School Nurses Seeing Mix of Illnesses (Source: wsaw.com) School Nurses Encourage Parents to Stick to ‘How Sick Is Too Sick’ Guidelines (Source: steamboatpilot.com) Dickson County Schools Committed to Healthy Students (Source: mainstreetmediatn.com) Local Students in St. Landry Parish Learn How to Stop the Spread of the Flu (Source: adams12.org) California K-12 Schools Now Eligible for neffyinSchools Program, Offering Needle-Free Epinephrine at No Cost for Emergency Use (Source: ir.ars-pharma.com) School Nurse, Coach Hailed as Heroes After Reviving Boy Who Collapsed During Basketball Game (Source: abc7ny.com) Local School Illness Rates Decline After Winter Break Spike (Source: kbtx.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions Long COVID and Its Impact on School Attendance A recent CDC study highlights that long COVID continues to affect U.S. school-aged children, contributing to functional limitations and increased chronic absenteeism. Schools and healthcare providers can work together to recognize and support students experiencing long COVID, providing accommodations to help maintain learning, social development, and overall well-being. Learn more about the findings.  School nurses are uniquely positioned to identify students affected by long COVID, coordinate care, and implement attendance support strategies that keep students engaged and learning. NASN offers several resources to support this work, including: The School Nurse-Led Active Surveillance Manual Nursing Continuing Professional Development Course: A School Nurse-Led Initiative to Address Chronic Absenteeism NASN School Nurse podcast: Long COVID—The New "Invisible" Illness: How School Nurses Can Support the Nursing and Educational Teams for Student Success   Improving School Community & Student Health Resources: Navigating Parental Rights Laws in School Health School nurses are increasingly navigating complex parental rights laws that impact the delivery of school health services. In response to challenges raised by school nurses, The Network for Public Health Law developed the following resources that explore how evolving state policies affect school-based health care. These tools offer timely insight to support practice and advocacy. When Politics Prevent Care: School Nurses Left to Grapple with Confusing Parental Rights Laws The Impact of State Parental Rights Legislation on Delivery of School Health Services Strengthen Oral Health Support in Schools Nationwide February is National Children's Dental Health Month, a timely reminder that oral health is essential to learning and overall child well-being. The Indiana Department of Health offers practical, virtual oral health training designed for school nurses and other non-dental professionals nationwide, covering basic screenings, red flags, prevention messaging, and referral steps that are easy to use and immediately actionable in school settings. These tools support school nurses in identifying concerns early, helping prevent missed class time, pain, and avoidable emergency care. Learn more. January Is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month raises awareness about treatment, recovery, and the support available to individuals and families. School nurses can help amplify SAMHSA's message, "Treatment Works! Find the Path that Works for You," by sharing social media resources that highlight treatment options, recovery strategies, and encouragement for those seeking help. NASN also provides essential guidance for school nurses, advocating for naloxone availability on campuses and supporting overdose preparedness efforts—learn more.   Mark Your Calendar   Epilepsy Alliance America: Live Virtual Seizure Recognition & Response Training February 13 Learn more and register. UL Research Institutes' Chemical Insights: Computational Toxicology Capabilities to Advance Chemical Safety February 18 Learn more and register. HIMSS26: Global Conference & Exhibition March 9-12 NASN members receive a special discounted rate. Learn more. Save the Date: National School Nurse Day 2026 May 6 The School Nurse Day proclamation and logo are available. Save the Date: NASN2026 Stronger Together June 29 - July 2 Las Vegas, Nevada 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 - Solving the Case of Student Health - April 9-10, 2026. Learn more. New Hampshire School Nurses' Association Annual Conference - April 11, 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