School nurses plan for and provide daily care for students with chronic health conditions and this health care management involves care coordination. School nurses continually advocate for programs and policies that meet the healthcare needs of their students. As you work to create Individualized Healthcare Plans, remember the NASN resources available to you, and review the NASN Position Statement Transition Planning for Students with Chronic Health Conditions. Thank you for your student advocacy and all you do to keep students in school and ready to learn. Carolyn Duff, MS, RN, NCSN, President of NASN |
Quick Poll
What are your challenges to communicating/coordinating with other health providers?
Take this week's poll.
 This School Year is the Year of Data
The Step Up and Be Counted! Initiative is in progress. Over the next few months NASN will be sending a survey regarding medication administration, as well as the bi-annual school nurse survey. Please participate when these survey links are sent. Data from all of these sources helps NASN articulate the affect school nurses have on student outcomes.
Learn more about this initiative.
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Health-Related Disabilities at School Require Care Coordination
As health-related disabilities increase in prevalence, so does the need for the coordination of care within the school and between the school and service providing agencies. The Journal of School Nursing article, School Nurses and Care Coordination for Children With Complex Needs: An Integrative Review, examines the the role of school nurses in providing care coordination. Access this article. [NASN Members have access to full-text articles.]
Webinar Archive on Culture of Health and Care Coordination Available
The first webinar in our Let's Talk School Nursing! series, School Nursing of Tomorrow Starts Today: A Culture of Health and Care Coordination, is available online. In this recording, the speakers explore the roots of school nursing in public health and discuss care coordination. Access this archive and learn about other webinars in this series.
Keep Data Objective and Focused
Data bridges the communication gap among different professions. When sharing data keep it objective and focused on the students' needs and education and NOT about being overworked school nurses. Cindy Galemore successfully shared data with her school board to support increase staffing, while keeping the focus on students. Read about Cindy's efforts in an NASN School Nurse article. [NASN Members have access to full-text articles.]
Tune in to NASN Radio to Hear How School Flu Risk is More Severe this Year
Hear why students are more at risk for flu this year and precautions to share with staff, students, and parents. Listen now.
NASN is Now Accepting Applications for Research Grants
Deadline March 1, 2015
Funding for NASN Research Grants may be used for conducting the actual research, substitute stipends, applicant's release time for purpose of the research, supplies, clerical assistance, travel expenses, or other appropriate expenses directly related to the research project. Research projects shall be completed within 2 years. Learn more and access the application.
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School Nurses in the News
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Schools Encouraging Parents to Immunize Students
EdSource Today
NASN member Sheri Coburn, the president-elect of the California School Nurses Organization, said the push for immunization is "one positive thing" to come from the rash of (measles) cases - now at 73 statewide - of the highly contagious and sometimes serious illness. "We continue to advocate for people to be vaccinated," Coburn said, noting that three-quarters of those who contracted measles were "not vaccinated at all," referring to the Disney outbreak. Read the Article.
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National News That Matters to You
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With Federal Policy Change, More Money for School-Based Health Services
The PEW Charitable Trust / Stateline
A recent federal policy reversal, long-sought by states and health care advocates, could enable schools to take a lead role in managing chronic childhood diseases and result in the hiring of many more school nurses. The change, announced last month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will allow public schools to receive Medicaid money for health services they provide to eligible students for the first time since 1997. "We (NASN) believe that health care in school should be paid for the way it is paid for outside of schools, which will lead toward better integrated care, access to care, and lower cost," said Donna Mazyck, NASN Executive Director. Read the article.
Measles Cases and Outbreaks
The United States experienced a record number of measles cases during 2014, with 644 cases from 27 states reported to CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). This is the greatest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000. Access CDC data.
American Academy of Pediatrics Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children to Protect Against Measles
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a news release on the California measles outbreak, urging parents to be vaccinated. Access the press release.
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Go Back to Basics, Go Back to Schools
Blog, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
NASN Director of Research Erin Maughan, and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow, discusses how school nurses are extensions of the health care system. Read the blog.
Rural Care Coordination Toolkit
This resource is offered by the Rural Assistance Center in North Dakota. It includes several modules; each concentrating on different aspects of care coordination programs. Access this toolkit.
Care Coordination is a Key Tool in Improving Patient Health
The American Nurses Association provides resources to help RNs step up and draw attention to the integral part they play in improving patient care quality, satisfaction, and the effective and efficient use of health care resources. Access these white papers and other resources.
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NASN's Calendar of Events lists upcoming events for school nursing professionals. Events happening soon include:
NASN Winter Webinar Series
Webinar 3: So Much to Do - What Do I Do Next?
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
2:00 PM Eastern
65th Annual California School Nurses Organization State Conference
February 12 - 15, 2015
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