The free access editorial in The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN), Learning from the Past and Moving Forward: Implementing School Nursing Research Priorities, highlights how NASN's research priorities are crucial to moving school nursing and school health research forward and encourages school nurses, researchers, and implementation scientists to partner to contribute school nursing evidence that guides the specialties’ practice and informs policy positively impacting student health and education outcomes.

NASN membership includes a subscription to JOSN.

Paid advertisement

Together, School Nurses Are Stronger: The new NASN membership guide communicates the value of a professional organization membership. Discover more about the benefits of NASN membership and share with fellow school nurses to Stay Current, Support Connections, and find Strength in Community. The guide is available in two formats: the Digital Membership Guide and the Printable Membership Guide.

Celebrate Health that Connects + Tech that Cares at HIMSS23: the healthcare event where professionals connect for education, innovation, and collaboration. NASN is excited to be a Collaborator of HIMSS23. As such, our members receive the member rate when attending. Here’s how to register:

• Visit HIMSS23 general registration and sign in.
• Once you’re signed in, select the Collaborator tab on the left-hand side.
• Select your preferred HIMSS23 pass and enter our name as the “Referring Collaborator/Organizational Affiliate Organization” to receive the HIMSS member rate.

In the NASN School Nurse January Podcast, Cynthia Galemore, NASN School Nurse Editor, interviews authors Alexandra Randolph, Beth Mattey, and Richele Lawson about the article "Moving Upstream to Address Health Inequity: A Middle School Program to Introduce Students to a Career in Nursing." Listen here.

The following is a paid advertisement

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.

• $3.6 million grant will give Nebraska nursing students experience as school nurses (Source: klkntv.com)
• DougCo school nurse finalist for school nurse of the year award (Source: original.newsbreak.com)
• Telemedicine Could Help Keep Kids in Class (Source: edweek.org)
• Tennessee schools step up practice on lifesaving equipment like the kind used to save Damar Hamlin (Source: wpln.org)
• 30 Maine School Nurses Complete National Certification in School Nursing  (Source: einnews.com)
• New Haven school nurses reach a new contract with the city (Source: wshu.org)
• O.P. school drills for cardiac event — ‘more likely’ than tornado (Source: theleaven.org)

The JOSN article Feasibility Assessment of a School Nurse-Led Approach Using Chronic Absenteeism to Establish the School-Based Active Surveillance Process shares what was learned from the feasibility assessment of a nurse-led SBAS pilot to track chronic absenteeism using myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as an exemplar. The assessment revealed the importance of focusing outreach efforts and establishing relationships with the school leadership in developing health policies and programs. The pilot data were used to develop the School Nurse-Led Active Surveillance Manual to guide school nurses in establishing surveillance to identify and track conditions like ME/CFS.

• See also the NASN position statement School Nurses – An Integral Member of the School Team Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and the NASN Learning Center course A School Nurse-Led Initiative to Address Chronic Absenteeism.

School nurses can support students’ access to needed behavioral health through Medicaid waivers in their states. Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers offer states an opportunity to test new practices in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal statute. Key themes in current approved and pending waivers include targeted eligibility expansions and benefit expansions in behavioral health. Learn more. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics is hosting two Managing Infectious Diseases in Schools Learning Communities to advance infection control and prevention measures in schools for school nurses, school-based health center staff, and school-based health professionals. Two cohorts will be convened from March-April 2023, each consisting of three 1-hour sessions. Session topics will include managing infectious diseases in schools, building relationships that benefit all, and planning/sustainability. If interested, please complete the online application by Monday, February 6, 2023.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) held a webinar recently focused on national immunization coverage data with the CDC. Listen to the recording of the webinar.  

For additional resources, school nurses can review the CDC’s MMWRs on NIS-Teen, NIS-Child, and the Kindergarten assessment and view more immunization data and resources on CDC’s Vaccines webpage.

• NASN Resources: See NASN's immunization resources.

Building and sustaining MTSS can be challenging. Panorama’s Level Up Your MTSS virtual summit on Thursday, February 9 will feature leading MTSS researchers and practitioners who will share evidence-based and research-backed insights on how to build and improve your MTSS. Registration is free.

The Trevor Project has released the results of its annual U.S. National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health segmented by all 50 states, detailing findings on the experiences of thousands of LGBTQ youth. This research provides critical insights into the suicide risk of LGBTQ young people, top barriers to mental health care, the prevalence of anti-LGBTQ victimization, and ways to support LGBTQ youth.

• NASN Resources: The NASN Learning Center Course, Advocacy and Action: How School Nurses Can Help LGBTQ Students Thrive, highlights the current crisis faced by LGBTQ youth and action steps school nurses can take to create inclusive and affirming school communities.

Children in disadvantaged communities have a substantially increased risk for detrimental health and developmental outcomes. Community paediatric clinics provide critical medical and developmental assessments, services, and education to families. To understand the role school nurses play in this dynamic system, read the mixed-methods systematic review article.

The month of January is usually a period of critical blood shortages. Young donors play an important role in helping to make sure that blood is available when and where it is needed most. The American Red Cross wants youth to have the best possible donation experience as they begin their donation journey. Here's information for young blood donors.

• California School Nurses Organization: 73rd CSNO Conference - Moving Forward REJUVENATED AND RESILIENT - February 17-19, 2023 - Learn more and Register

• Maryland Association of School Health Nurses Annual Conference - School Nurse-Navigators "Remember the Past, Navigate the Present, and Prepare for the Future" - March 4, 2023 - Learn more and Register

• Vermont State School Nurses Association Spring Conference - March 24 - Learn More

• Missouri Association of School Nurses Spring Conference - School Nurses Planting a Lifetime of Health - March 25-26, 2023 - Learn more and Register

• New Jersey State School Nurses Association Spring 2023 Conference - Reimagining School Nursing - March 25, 2023 - Learn more and Register

• Overseas School Health Nurse Association Spring Conference 2023 - March 26-27, 2023 - Learn more and Register

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 2023 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.