To assist school nurses in addressing the vaping issue, NASN has assembled a toolkit of information and resources to support school nurses in implementing evidence-based programs in their schools, including planning for sustainability and building collaborations with key stakeholders to successfully engage their school communities in tackling the topic of vaping head on. Here is what's included in the toolkit:

School nurses are invited to take this survey, which is designed to learn more about school nurses' moral distress and information needs about the COVID-19 virus and vaccine, especially relating to school nurse case management and how to respond to family questions and concerns about the vaccine. It should take you 15-20 minutes to complete. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Christina Baker at 720-220-8571 or email: [email protected]. NOTE: This survey is independent of NASN.

Made to Save and the de Beaumont Foundation tested messaging with parents/guardians of children ages 5-11, and found that messages about health and community were most effective at increasing support for COVID-19 vaccination of this age group. Download the full tip sheet.

Getting access to the vaccine is a struggle for many. Lyft is mobilizing partners and community members to help provide access to millions of riders to and from vaccine appointments. Learn more and see if Lyft is available in your community.

Holiday traditions are important. CDC has updated guidance to enjoy holiday traditions. School nurses can send information to families to minimize COVID-19 risk.

CDC has released a new infographic that illustrates the steps for determining close contacts within the K–12 school setting. The infographic also contains information on public health recommendations for close contacts, including whether they need to quarantine based on specific conditions. The Steps for Determining Close Contact and Quarantine in K–12 Schools infographic replaces the two decision trees previously included in the Toolkit for Responding to COVID-19 Cases.

School nurses care for 56.4 million students across the United States, 25% of whom have chronic conditions, many of whom require medication during the school day. Other students require medication for acute health problems, medications for life-threatening emergencies, or as needed (prn) medications for transient health issues, discomfort, or other symptoms. NASN’s School Nursing Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline: Medication Administration in Schools, provides a uniform guideline for the administration of medication in schools, including evidence-based recommendations for the safe care of Pre-K-12 students who receive medications during the day. The Toolkit is designed to help implement the recommendations in the Guideline. See the toolkit.

Research shows that giving back to others decreases anxiety and generates happiness in the giver’s brain! UNICEF Kid Power® is a free, interactive video platform that connects kids’ everyday activity to real-world philanthropy. Students play 3-5 minute physical activity and social-emotional wellness videos (in class or virtually), designed to manage big emotions and develop resilience. In doing so, they unlock the impact of UNICEF around the world and provide support for local causes. Share our flyer and encourage your classroom and PE teachers, counselors, and therapists to sign up.

Nurses are urged to recognize by multiple organizations that the dissemination of misinformation not only jeopardizes the health and well-being of the public but may place their license and career in jeopardy as well. The brief states, “It is an expectation of the U.S. boards of nursing, the profession, and the public that nurses uphold the truth, the principles of the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses and highest scientific standards when disseminating information about COVID-19 or any other health-related condition or situation.” Read the entire brief here.

National Influenza Vaccination Week continues until December 11. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated this season. School nurses play a key role in getting the word out about the flu vaccine. Use these CDC resources about why this is especially important for people with certain chronic health conditions.

The National Center for Children’s Vision & Eye Health at Prevent Blindness invites you to join an “Ask the Author” webinar. This presentation will describe program implementation, as well as research findings about the prevalence of uncorrected vision disorders and the impact school-based eye care has had on student academic performance.

Join the Made to Save health team and chat more about the COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic with Dr. Alice Chen.

This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about the vaccines and the pandemic.

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