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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!

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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)

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

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.

1. When Politics Prevent Care: School Nurses Left to Grapple with Confusing Parental Rights Laws
2. 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.

NASN Calendar of Events

This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the 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. 

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