Dear Ohio School Nurses,

Don't you just LOVE summer? It gives us a chance to renew our friendships and strengthen our family ties. It is a chance to renew our inner peace and recharge with new ideas for our school nursing career. I trust that everyone enjoyed the summer and accomplished a lot.

OASN has been busy this summer and we completed our summer retreat in July. Here are a few of the items that have been worked on during the months since annual conference:

· There were some concerns brought up about construction of new health clinics in the state that were not adequate for the needs of the school nurse. A packet of information was gathered from school nurses statewide by our executive director, Renee Besecker, and sent to the state committee as OASN recommendations about what should be included in a proper health clinic. This list was ranked from most important to desirable but not a necessity. If your school is doing building renovations and you would like a copy of this document please notify someone on the OASN board.

· The governor went around the state to gather information about safe schools. He was trying to find out what is already being done and what needs to be looked into in the future. School nurses in Ohio had the opportunity to give written and oral testimony. I want to thank everyone that sent in written testimony and give a special thanks to Nancy Moska for giving oral testimony in the Youngstown area.

· The NASN conference was held in Nashville- June 28-July 1. This was an exciting conference with our own Norma Nikkola honored as the National School Nurse of the Year. Norma was also elected and installed as NASN's secretary/treasurer. Congratulations Norma for both honors!! Joan Hlinomaz, from SW Ohio was the poster presentation winner---way to go Joan!!
The preconference leadership class was lead by motivational speaker Mary Kay Slowinkowski. She presented different leadership styles and we ranked ourselves to find out what style we presented with. After the presentation, we approached Mary Kay and she is saving the dates in her calendar for our state conference. Updates on that will come later.
There were many educational offerings over the course of the conference and it was a great conference. One of the highlights of the conference for me was the opportunity to present grant information from a walking project that I did at one of my schools. This was presented at a breakout session entitled, "It Worked at my School".

There is much to look forward to in this school year. One important event that I want you to put on your calendars is the OASN Annual Conference to be held April 3-6, 2008 in Huron, Ohio at Sawmill Creek Resort. Plans are underway and I know it will be another outstanding OASN educational offering. Just for future reference, the NASN conference is scheduled for June 28-July 1, 2008 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These are events that need your attendance and it is never too early to start saving funds to make your presence at both of them a reality.

Thank you for all that you do to make the students in Ohio safe and healthy. Have a great school year!!

Sincerely,

Kathy Inderbitzin, RN, BSN, MEd.

OASN President
president@oasn.org

On May 10th, Deb Strouse, Norma Nikkola, Sam Whitaker and Renee Besecker attended a meeting at Ohio School Facilities Commission to discuss school clinic design and offer information for the improvement of clinic renovation or construction. We met with Michael Shoemaker, Chair of the OSFC and Steve Lutz, Planning Chair of the OSFC. Both were attentive and receptive to our examples of poorly designed school clinics or those located in areas of schools that were not designed for that purpose. We talked about what should be included in clinics undergoing renovation or newly constructed using articles from the Journal of School Health, citing OSHA standards, and examples submitted by school nurses. We learned that money and space are the factors that influence the final outcomes.

Mr Lutz shared the architectural plans that the OSFC has for elementary, middle school, and high school clinics. These plans appeared to meet the most basic needs for a school clinic but we were told that school administrators did not necessarily have to follow them. Mr Lutz and Mr Shoemaker invited us to submit what we thought were necessary elements for well designed clinic and those elements that would be great to have but not necessary. After this meeting we went back to the OASN membership and asked for their input. There was a great outpouring of ideas and more examples of poorly designed clinics from OASN members. In June, a letter along with a comprehensive list of necessary features for a fully functioning school clinic, many supported by JSH articles and OSHA and the Ohio Revised Code, was sent to the OSFC.

The Ohio Association of School Nurses has asked for a follow up meeting with the OSFC. We will be meeting with them on August 27th to discuss the list and obtain their recommendations for how school nurses can have better outcomes for a healthy working environment and the welfare of their students. A follow up article will be featured in the fall OASN newsletter or the OASN website (www.oasn.org).

The SWOSNA board meeting/transition meeting was held May 10, 2007 at Sycamore Hospital in Dayton, OH. SWOSNA membership grew to 181 members during the 2006-2007 year. The officers for the 2007/08 year are:

• President: Judy Marrinan (judy@marrinan.us)
• President-Elect: Crystal Thornton (Thornton4@aol.com)
• Past President: Eva Garchar (egarchar@aol.com)
• OASN Rep.:Joan Hlinomaz (jhlinomaz@yahoo.com )
• Secretary: Marian Doukoure (rnschool1967@yahoo.com)
• Treasurer:Cheri Hunkemoeller (chunkemoeller@fuse.net)
• Membership: Judy Ganguly (judyganguly@hotmail.com)
• Newsletter: Peggy Brockmeier (peggynurse@aol.com)
• Public Relations: Andrea Smalls (andrea.smalls@sbcglobal.net )
• Webmaster: Julie Kolde (kolde@fuse.net)
• Ways and Means: Kay Larson (larson_k@hcesc.org)
  Pat Roach (pat.roach@ansonia.k12.oh.us)
• Historian: Jenny Boles (jenny_boles@fuse.net)

SWOSNA voted to contribute $50 to OASN for the ASHA/ODH exhibit. Also, a $25 donation was given to OASN for the 2007 Ohio NASN Conference basket.

SWOSNA received five nominations for the 2007 Cameos of Caring Award hosted by Wright State University (WSU). Geneva Connally RN, BSN, MEd has been chosen as the 2007 recipient. She will be honored this fall at WSU in Dayton, OH.

Several SWOSNA members attended the NASN Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. Norma Nikkola was honored at the banquet for being the National School Nurse of the Year. Joan Hlinomaz won the NASN research poster presentation award for her study on "The Effect of a School-Based Physical Activity Program on Student Attendance," funded by the OASN Carolyn Azbell Research Award.

The first SWOSNA Board meeting for the 2007/08 year was held August 13, 2007. The first general meeting of SWOSNA is scheduled for Thursday, September 20, 2007 from 4:30 - 7:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Dayton Mall. The CEU offering is "A Psycho- educational Approach to Suicide Prevention" presented by Catherine Strunk.

Joan Hlinomaz , RN, BSN, MS, NCSN
Southwest Ohio Representative to OASN

The NWOASN conducted a business meeting on August 15, 2007. The following is a list of the new board members:

• Laurie Gladieux- President
• Denise Kauffman - President- Elect
• Ann Brunning - Treasurer
• Meg Sullivan - Secretary
• Mary Schwartz - Ways and Means
• Marie Kraus - NW Rep to OASN
• Mary Beth Durbin and Mary Martin - Newsletter
• Ann Cipriani - Membership
• Jan Overmeyer - Website

The board discussed using email for membership registration and conference registration. Ann Cipriani distributed an updated roster of member information including email addresses. Jan Overmeyer provided the email address for the webmaster and encouraged the board to post NW events on the site such as upcoming conferences, etc.

Mary Schwartz announced that there are still school nurse t-shirts, school nurse stuffed bears and patient bears available for purchase. Denise Kaufman announced that a conference for NWOASN is scheduled for October 30, 2007 at the Stone Oak Country Club. The topic will be Living Well With Asthma. Denise is also working on bringing the H.A.N.D.S. (Helping Administer to the Needs of the Student with Diabetes in School) presentation to Northwest Ohio this coming winter.

Maureen Knowles, OASN Vice President and State Conference Chairperson, was present and provided the board with an update on the State conference planning. Maureen reported that a date and location have been selected for the conference as well as the conference title and keynote speaker. Committee chairpersons are in place and a conference planning committee meeting is to take place on August 21, 2007

The board was still in the process of transitioning materials from past members to current members. Treasurer and secretary reports will be updated at the next board meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Marie Kraus, NW Rep

Current SEOASN Officers:

Lesa Slack - President (Lawrence County) slacklj@yahoo.com
Tammy Lorbach - Vice President (Jackson County) tlorbach@JCS.K12.OH.US
Kim Skidmore - Secretary (Gallia County) GL- KSKIDMORE@seovec.org
Becky Gilpen - Treasurer (Lawrence County) bgilpin1@earthlink.net
Annette Scott - SE Rep. (Lawrence County) ascott_ic@scoca-k12.org or scotfmly@cloh.net
Lori Moore - Nominating Committee (Jackson County) lmoore@wcs.k12.oh.us

We want to wish the following nurses a HAPPY RETIREMENT:

UPDATES

· Next SEOASN meeting is scheduled for the night before the ODH School Health Conf. in the fall.

· Annette attended the Board Meeting retreat at Sawmill Creek in Sandusky, OH in July. She returned the plaque that SE was awarded for membership. Pictures were taken.

· Sam Whitaker, Legislative Rep gave updates on the Medicaid/CAFS meetings. Legislators; Senator Steve Stivers and Senator Tom Niehaus agreed to get a group together to see how to serve small schools without services. A group of OASN reps will be meeting with them. If you have concerns or questions, please contact your rep or the OASN Ex. Director as soon as possible. He also discussed the recommendations that the OASN gave to the Ohio Schools Facilities Commissions by request from Representative Mike Shoemaker and the commission. SE nurses should email Annette for a copy of this recommendation

· All regional reps. received a copy of the Coordinated School Health Program DVD from Dr. Cooper. If you'd like to review the CD or purchase on at cost - Contact your regional rep.

· OASN (State) Conference - Starts April 3, 2008 at Sawmill Creek in Huron, OH (Sandusky area). Theme: "School Nurses as Leaders in Children's Health" Poster Presentations are being sought. Present teaching ideas or something you have done in your school. More details at www.oasn.org. Prepare to plan ahead to attend.

· NEW School Nurse Guidebook $10.00 (Cost). New members will receive a free copy.

· Endowment Fund - To support the practice of school nursing, the Ohio Association of School Nurses has partnered with the Columbus Medical Association Foundation to establish the Ohio Association of School Nurses Education and Scholarship Fund. Annually, the fund will award the Patricia McDonald Baum Award, which provides scholarships for school nurses seeking graduate degrees and/or certification in advanced nursing practice; the Carolyn Azbell Research Award, which supports research about school nursing and health of school-age children; and grants for continuing education opportunities. Our vision for the future is to increase the size of these awards and fund grants that improve school nursing practice and school-affiliated delivery of health care. Donations are being accepted on a continual basis.

Respectfully submiited,

Annette Scott, RN, BSN
SE representative to OASN

The COASN Board will meet in August to make plans for the 2007-08 school year.

At the May 8th meeting, the COASN School Nurse of the Year Award was awarded to Rachel Little of Columbus Public Schools. Rachel has served as a school nurse in Columbus Public Schools for many years as well as an OASN board member. She retired this year after a combined public service of 35 years.

The COASN membership is now at 138 strong and represents 19 school districts. Out of the total membership: 128 are active members; 7 are associate members; 3 are retired members.

The COASN website www.coasn.org continues to provide resources and links for our membership. Ginny Black will continue as the COASN webmaster.

Twelve COASN members attended this year's NASN conference held in June in Nashville: Judy Harmon, Sally Joslyn, Lisa Kauffman, Joan Keith, Kate King, Diana Kirby, Carol-Lynne O'Neil, Nancy Rini, Mary Lee Rippl, Deborah Strouse, Susan Thomas, and Melissa Willis.

COASN BOARD for 2007-2008

President - Lisa Kauffman (lkauffman5976@columbus.k12.oh.us)
President Elect - Juanita Smith
Vice President - Carolyn Bernard (cbernard5541@columbus.k12.oh.us)
Treasurer - Laura Tufts ( latufts@core.com )
Secretary - Shelly Jenkins (shellyjenkins@surfink.com) OASN Rep - Joan Keith (jkeith7518@aol.com )
Membership Chair - Carol Lynne O'Neil (coneil9958@columbus.k12.oh.us)
Hospitality Chair - Teri Ponzani
Newsletter, Public relations, and Library - Amy Hotler (ahotler@columbus.rr.com)
Web Site - Ginny Black (ginny715@columbus.rr.com)
Public Relations & Library - Amy Hotler
Research - Kim Carpenter

Respectfully Submitted,
Joan Keith, RN, MED, NCSN

NEOASN will hold a "Kick-off" meeting to start the new school year on Monday, August 20th from 6:00-8:30. The meeting will be held at the Shaker Campus of University School and will start with time to socialize and network as we share summer salads and stories. The new slate of officers will be officially inducted and a brief business meeting is scheduled. Our speaker for the evening presentation is Dr. Ellen Rome, a pediatrician with the Cleveland Clinic who is board certified in adolescent medicine. She will update us on "Issues in Adolescent Medicine."

The slate of officers for the NEOASN Board for 2007- 2008:

President--Elizabeth Anderson (earni2001@yahoo.com)
Past President--Deb Aloshen (trekker975@aol.com)
Vice President--Tish Perin (mperin@us.edu)
2nd Vice President--Pam Katz (pkatzm@hotmail.com)
Secretary--Cathy Fedor (jfedor@zoominternet.net)
Treasurer-- Lisa Mason-Smith (lbc55@sbcglobal.net)
OASN Rep.--Mary Massey (massey1234@aol.com)
Membership--Chris Bell (chris3040@aol.com)
Newsletter--Susan Inscore (scorein@aol.com)

Board members gathered at the home of our new president, Elizabeth Anderson, on June 23rd and began plans for the upcoming year. The idea of an August meeting to kick off the school year and network originated at that meeting. Membership forms are being mailed this year, but a concerted effort will be made to increase communication through e-mails. As our membership becomes accustomed to electronic communication, we hope to reduce postage costs.

Board members are currently finalizing plans for a fall meeting in October. They hope to have details prepared to present at the August meeting. It was suggested that we hold the following meeting in February so as not to conflict with the OASN and ODH conferences later in the spring. Members who have an idea to share or wish to become more actively involved at the regional level are encouraged to contact our new president, Elizabeth Anderson: earni2001@yahoo.com.

Mary Massey
NE Rep. to OASN

The Budget Bill (HB119) has corrected the provision of clinical sites for nursing students who are in out-of- state teaching institutions. Nursing students mostly in counties that border neighboring stated have been doing clinicals in Ohio & OBN recognized that this may not be a legal practice unless the clinical instructor is licensed in Ohio. The Budget Bill clarified this confusion & until Sept. 29 out-of-state nursing students can use Ohio sites as observation sites and after Sept. 29 can use Ohio sites as clinical sites.

OBN will be presenting the law contact hour at the OASN conference in April.

OBN has created a draft of an algorithm for school nurses. The OASN Board reviewed it at the August retreat. The algorithm will also be reviewed by Dorothy Bystrom, our ODH School Nurse Consultant & then Kathy will take it to the OBN meeting in September for approval.OBN is working on FAQs from school nurses which will be posted on the OBN website, TBA.

I am honored to be presenting the law contact hour from OBN to the New School Nurse Orientation in Sept.

The Carnegie Foundation will be releasing its study of the education of the profession of nursing this fall. The Foundation looks at how professions are educated & in the past has looked at clergy, physicians & lawyers. One of their RECOMMENDATIONS is that graduates who pass NCLEX after 2010 earn a master's degree within 5 years....the future of nursing education!

The Ohio Board of Nursing meets every other month & the next meeting is Sept. 27/28. The meetings are open to the public.

It is an honor to represent school nursing at these meetings.

Kathy O'Dell, RN,MEd,NCSN

NASN NEWS YOU CAN USE

I am delighted to report that as of 7/17/07, the OASN Endowment Fund had a balance of $14,289.29, not including adjustments for the market at the time, interest accrued or fees deducted. Disbursements have been made to Candi Hendershot who received the 2007 Research Award and Sheryl St. Clair, conference attendee, who was the lucky winner of the $500 raffle prize used towards attending the NASN conference in Nashville in June.

If you missed reading the Annual Endowment Fund Report in the last Newsletter, it will be posted as a link on the Endowment section of the OASN Website.

The Board made the decision at our July meeting to do a mass mailing to all members this fall giving them an update on the Fund and the opportunity to send their donation to the Columbus Medical Association Fund to enhance our OASN Fund. So watch for your letter and donor card and become an "angel" by responding with a donation. Remember that categories of angels are cumulative by amounts donated over the years, but any amount will be greatly appreciated! It will go towards the worthy school nursing awards, The Pat Baum Educational Scholarship and The Carolyn Azbell Research Award. It may also be designated as Unrestricted Funding which will eventually be used to help offset special speakers' fees. Please don't forget to check the website for instructions on setting up a Legacy! That is another form of giving that is rather painless!

It's not too early to start thinking about selecting and saving your articles to donate to the 2008 Silent Auction to be held at our annual conference in the Spring. This event has become a great source of monies for the Endowment Fund over the past 2 years and we hope it continues to grow. Terrific bargains abound and it's so much fun trying to have your silent BID be the top one!

The committee is already busy planning special Endowment events to coincide with next year's conference. Watch for more details in future news releases!

Norma Nikkola, Endowment Chair
nnikkola@earthlink.net Donate online

The 2008 OASN conference will be held April 3-6, 2008 at Saw Mill Creek in Huron Ohio. The title of the conference is "School Nurses as Leaders in Children's Health". The keynote speaker will be Mary Kay Slowikowski. She is a nationally known speaker, in fact, she spoke at the NASN conference in Nashville last June.

The working committees of Northwest Ohio are hard at it to provide you with one of the best conference experiences yet! Looking forward to seeing you in April at Saw Mill Creek!

Maureen Knowles

Vice President

Ohio Nurse Nominated for 2007 Cameos of Caring

"The nursing staff of Akron Children's Hospital has chosen Kathy McCune, RN as their 2007 Cameos of Caring recipient. She has been working in school health for over twenty years and in the School Health Services Department at Akron Children's for the past four years assigned to the Cuyahoga Falls City School District. Her compassion for children and clinical expertise make her a worthy recipient. Kathy has been a member of NASN and ASHA for the past five years and she has served as a mentor to many nurses new to the school setting. Her "can do" attitude has won the respect of administrators, teachers and her unlicensed staff. She has played a very important role in Akron Children's efforts to implement Coordinated School Health in her district. The students of this district are very fortunate to have a nurse like Kathy caring for them. Congratulations, Kathy!"

China Trip for Health Professionals scheduled June 17-30, 2008

OASN member, Ann (Oestermeyer) Farmer, MSN, RN, is working with retired Shaker Heights principal, Don Coffee and his wife Xiao Ying on a trip to China "Cultural Experience and Professional Connections." The itinerary includes personal interactions, and professional activities with Chinese nurses and other health professionals that will enhance your knowledge of nursing in China, health care, health challenges, and Chinese culture. A special feature is a cultural exchange in Xining, in the Qing-Tibet Highlands, and an opportunity to share and interact with health professionals who serve the Tibetan minority population there. For information on this unique trip, affordably planned for nurses, please contact Ann Farmer at annfarmer@roadrunner.com or 330-467-2275.

The following positions on the OASN board will be on the ballot in the Spring: