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During October we recognize National Substance Abuse Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol and other drug use among adolescents remains a major concern and can lead to major health problems. NASN supports community needs assessments of substance abuse problems, including substance abuse in schools. As stated in the NASN Position Statement on Drug Testing in Schools, school nurses understand the complex issue of drug abuse among youth and as the primary health care professional in schools, we are uniquely positioned to connect families to community-based resources and substance abuse prevention services. Thank you for promoting healthy choices to keep students healthy, safe and ready to learn.
Carolyn L. Duff, MS, RN, NCSN
NASN President
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Enterovirus D68 Update
Update from the CDC
Almost all of the CDC-confirmed cases this year have been among children, many with a history of asthma or wheezing. School nurses are in a pivotal position to conduct surveillance for unusual increases in the number of students with severe respiratory illness and should report this to their local health department. Stay up-to-date by frequently checking the CDC website. Learn more about states with confirmed cases.
Ebola Virus Update
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Educating Parents and the School Community About Cough Medicine Abuse
NASN has partnered with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association to create Home to Homeroom - an educational program which includes a presentation and template letter you can share with parents and other caring adults. It contains important information about the signs and side effects of cough medicine abuse. Learn more and access these free resources.
Tools to Promote Environmental Health
The classroom-style learning program, Managing Asthma Triggers, has been retired but its' valuable resources are still available and relevant. Access the free online version of this program and earn 2.5 CNE contact hours. Browse a detailed index of resources from the classroom-style learning program for presentation templates and more.
NASN School Nurse Announces 2015 Issue Themes and Call for Manuscripts
The NASN School Nurse, the clinical resource journal for NASN, has announced the issue themes for 2015, as well as a call for manuscripts. Learn more.
New Jobs Have Been Added to the NASN Employment Center
Find your next job opportunity on NASN.org. Browse listings.
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School Nurses in the News
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Texas School Health Officials Take Precautions to Prevent Spread of Ebola
ABC 9 / KTRE
Electronic fever scanners are being installed in several Dallas schools concerned about the spread of Ebola. Students at five different Dallas ISD campuses had contact with Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan. NASN member and District Coordinator for Health Services at Tyler (Texas) ISD Cindy Fancher said, "Children are the most precious commodity that we have. We are taking every precaution that we can." Fancher says Tyler ISD nurses know how to watch for all kinds of threats, including Ebola. Access the story.
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National News That Matters to You
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October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Each year since 2011 the White House has observed, during the month of October, the role that substance abuse prevention plays in promoting safe and healthy communities. Access a proclamation, the 2014 Drug-Free Communities Grant announcement, and more.
#ToMyTeen Online Tool for Parents to Share what they Love about Raising Teens
Research shows that teens who are validated by their parents are more confident and more resistant to peer pressure. During October's National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, the Stop Medicine Abuse campaign launched a new initiative called #ToMyTeen to spark a conversation among parents about what is positive and rewarding about raising teens today. Visit #ToMyTeen to share your goal of raising a happy, confident teen who makes responsible decisions.
October 9th is National Depression Screening Day
As part of October's Depression Awareness Month, Boston-based nonprofit Screening for Mental Health created National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, October 9th. In observance of these public health campaigns, hundreds of community based organizations, colleges and military installations worldwide will be offering anonymous self-assessments for mood and anxiety disorders at in-person events and online. Find a local event or take a screening online.
Seat Belts Save Teens Lives
According to Seat Belts Save, 2012 statistics show 60.7 percent of teen passengers (16 to 19) who died in crashes were not wearing their seat belts and 51.2 percent of teen drivers (16 to 19) who died in crashes were not belted. Find the statistics for YOUR state and access resources including challenge materials for schools.
October is National Protect Your Hearing Month
In recognition of this observance, the It's a Noisy Planet. Protect Their Hearing.® campaign, developed by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health, encourages you to help promote awareness of noise-induced hearing loss, the only preventable form of hearing loss. The Noisy Planet campaign offers free health information about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss. Learn more.
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School Nurses: The Voice for Children's Health
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Obesity in Rural America
Solutions for Rural Communities
School nurses were represented at a Congressional Briefing: Rural Childhood Obesity Prevention Toolkit. Rural children have higher rates of obesity than their urban counterparts. Frequently, rural communities are "food deserts" due to the lack of supermarkets and fresh produce coupled with a prevalence of poverty and other health issues. This toolkit provides a comprehensive menu of options for policymakers interested in promoting healthy eating and active living in rural communities. Access the complete toolkit.
Calling Middle and High School Nurses
You are invited to participate in a doctoral study titled Self-Harm: Perceptions and Experiences of School Nurses. School nurse professionals who work in middle and high school settings may encounter students who self harm at least once in their career. Findings of this study may provide information that will lead to enhanced education of school nurses about self-harm and may identify interventions that increase their effectiveness when dealing with adolescents who self-harm. Each participant may be interviewed up to three times. The first interview will take no more than 30-90 minutes. A second and/or third interview, if needed, will take no more than 30 minutes. Participants' confidentiality and privacy will be protected using special codes instead of the participants' name. For more information about this study or to volunteer, please contact: Shonta Bell, MSN, RN, sybell@utmb.edu; 901-826-8941.
[Note: This study is not sponsored by NASN. The approved and necessary NASN Process for Mailings and Research was followed, including a review and approval by NASN Research Advisory Board and staff. This is an independent study being conducted by the person indicated above and all concerns should be directed to that person.] |
ABC's of Oral Health in the School Setting - a Free Webinar
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 1:00 PM Eastern time
This webinar is hosted by the School and Adolescent Oral Health Committee of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. It will have a national focus on oral health, NASN resources, and community connections. To join the webinar.
[NOTE: Enter your first and last name and select 'Enter room.' Select 'Dial Out' when prompted. Seating is limited to 100 and the webinar will be recorded for those unable to connect.]
Smokeless Tobacco and Your Health
Smokeless Tobacco can harm your health and your teeth. Quitting smokeless tobacco can lower your risks for gum disease, bone loss around your teeth, oral cancer in the mouth, cavities and tooth loss. Access more information on the health effects of smokeless tobacco.
Breakfast Grants, Get Them While They're Hot
Start your students off with a healthy breakfast
ALL students should eat a healthy breakfast with the right fuel and nutrition to stay focused and be ready to learn. Make this healthy change in the lives of your students by applying for an Action for Healthy Kids School Breakfast Grant. Grants range from $1,400-$2,400 for one school and up to $50,000 for multiple schools within a district. Your school will also receive yearlong support and additional resources that extend beyond serving healthy breakfast. |
NASN's Calendar of Events lists upcoming events for school nursing professionals. Events happening soon include:
Helping Administer to the Needs of the Student with Diabetes in School
October 16, 2014
Indiana University Northwest, Gary, Indiana
Massachusetts School Nurse Organization Fall Conference
October 18, 2014
Illinois Association of School Nurses Annual Conference
October 24 - 25, 2014
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The NASN Weekly Digest is an e-news communication of the National Association of School Nurses, Inc. (NASN) sent weekly to NASN members and subscribers. This weekly communication is designed to keep school nurse professionals informed of news, issues, events, and activities related to or affecting school nursing practice.
Although NASN refers to and/or may provide direct access to documents and resources other than those owned or developed by NASN, NASN is not responsible for the content, format, accuracy or availability of such. In addition, NASN does not have any editorial or other control over those materials. In addition, NASN reserves the right to make necessary changes to NASN owned and developed materials without notice.
Copyright 2014 National Association of School Nurses, Inc.
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