National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest
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 "Part of the public health rule if a school nurse suspects a measles case, keep in mind that it is a reportable disease; reported to your partners at your local health department." ~ A quote from Nichole Bobo in the NASN Radio broadcast, Three Tips for Preventing a Measles Outbreak

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April 2, 2015
School Nurses: Supporting Education, Advancing Student Health


It is well-known to school staff that the school nurse focuses on healthcare of individual students within the school campus, as well as the healthcare needs of the entire student body. It is less known, however, that school nurses address and influence community health outside the confines of the campus. We practice public health interventions when we address immunizations, infectious disease surveillance, environmental health, disaster and emergency planning, and many other health and safety issues affecting the public.

You will find support for your public health role in NASN's Public Health as the Foundation of School Nursing Practice Resolution. NASN recognizes that public health is foundational to the specialty practice of school nursing, and it is an integral focus of the organization.
 
Thank you for the professional care you give to students and communities,

Carolyn Duff, MS, RN, NCSN, President of NASN
Quick Poll
School nursing is grounded in Public Health nursing. Which key components of Public Health do you use in your practice? . . .  Take this week's poll.
NASN2015 June 24-27, 2015, Embracing Today - Transforming Tomorrow


We've Got Your Number 
1300+ school nursing peers, 130+ expert and experienced thought leaders, 100+ product vendors, 20 CNE contact hours, 8 pre-conference sessions, 4 days of learning, ... Need more reasons to attend? Check out the NASN2015 schedule
Association News
National School Nurse Day Resources Now Available!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
To help you celebrate National School Nurse Day, NASN has developed resources available on its School Nurse Day webpage to help you highlight the significant role of school nurses. In her blog post, School Nurses: Caring for Others. Caring for Ourselves., NASN's Nichole Bobo emphasizes that, "School nurses must be able to articulate their story."

The School Nurse Role in the Public Health Issue of E-Cigarettes In a recent NASN School Nurse article, E-Cigarettes: A New Challenge for Public Health and for School Nurses, the president of the American Lung Association discusses what school nurses can do to address the growing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents. Access this article.

The Vital Link Between the School and Public Health Community
School nurses are highly qualified to identify symptomatic trends, prevent and manage infectious disease in the school setting, and access and interpret public health information. The school nurse role in disease surveillance and reporting is articulated in the NASN position statement, Infectious Disease Management in the School Setting.  

Tune in to NASN Radio for Teaching Alcohol Responsibility to Teens
Learn the latest statistics and research regarding underage drinking and educational resources available for school nurses and school staff. This segment is sponsored by Responsibility.org.  Listen Now!

NASN Election Ballot Open
Don't forget to cast your ballot in this year's NASN election to elect the next NASN President-Elect, Secretary / Treasurer, and Nominating Committee member. Learn more about the candidates and vote online (Login to access the ballot).

Call for Volunteers - NASN Seeks Your Expertise
Deadline April 2, 2015
NASN is in need of school nurse experts for a variety of upcoming projects. In addition, NASN/NASSNC's Step Up and Be Counted (uniform data set project) is also seeking volunteers to expand the number of school nurses and other experts involved in this project. Review committee volunteer opportunities
School Nurses in the News
McKinney ISD (Texas) Nurse Named Region 10's Best for 2014-2015
McKinney Courier-Gazette (Texas)
NASN member Christy Johnson was recently named the Region 10 School Nurse of the Year by the Texas School Nurses Association - considered the best in her profession out of nearly 80 school districts across eight North Texas counties. Johnson said that the recognition simply means she's doing her job. "I just come to work and take care of the kids," Johnson said. "It's more than just putting a Band-Aid on a student - it's taking care of all their needs, ... You have to treat them from head to toe." Access the story.

NASN Presented at Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners
The General Session speakers at the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP) included NASN Director of Nursing Education, Sally Schoessler, who presented on Individualized Healthcare Plans, and Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard, an engaging speaker on resiliency and mental health in our youth (and, she will be at NASN 2015 in Philadelphia). The PASNAP conference, held last weekend at Penn State University, was chock full of evidence-based information with the theme, "School Nurses: Helping Students Balance Wellness."
National News That Matters to You
Celebrate School Nursing During Public Health Week
From April 6th - 12th, the American Public Health Association will celebrate Public Health Week.  NASN encourages school nurses to join the celebration and share how their role in the school setting is an extension of public health. Access information and learn how you can have your voice heard.

U.S. House Overwhelmingly Votes to Extend CHIP Funding
In a vote of 392 to 37, the U.S. House voted to extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a major NASN Legislative Priority. It is hoped that the Senate will take up the bill when it returns to Washington after a two week Easter recess. Read more about NASN's legislative priorities.

Recommendations for Supporting Children's Mental Wellness
School nurses are well aware of the mental health status of their students. A report from Child Trends and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, can be used when advocating for a shift in the focus of policy and practice from illness to the promotion of wellness and flourishing in schools.

American Academy of Pediatrics and E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes, also called Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or personal vaporizers, present another way for smokers to ingest nicotine. E-cigarettes are increasingly being marketed to young adults and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics' position about e-cigarettes addresses the children's health concerns about these non FDA approved products and what states are addressing this issue. Read the AAP position.
School Nurses: The Voice for Children's Health
EPA Administrator Honored During Women's History Month
NASN recently attended an event honoring Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hosted by Moms Clean Air Force, a community of moms and dads united against air pollution to protect children's health. The EPA has regional offices around the country to support your school indoor environment activities. Click to find the EPA Regional Office near you.
Health Office Toolbox
Webcast: Raising the Grade for a Healthier Nation
Monday, April 6, 1-3 p.m. Eastern
Despite what you may read or hear, the U.S. is not the healthiest nation. We live shorter lives and suffer more health issues than people in other high-income countries. Join APHA President Shiriki Kumanyika, Dr. Gail Christopher, and a panel of experts to discuss opportunities that exist and challenges we need to overcome to create the healthiest nation. Register for the webcast by 5:00 p.m. eastern, April 3.

New Free Resource to Help Talk to Teens About Marijuana Use and Abuse
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids just released the Marijuana Talk Kit: What You Need to Know to Talk with Your Kids About Marijuana. Between the medicalization and legalization of marijuana, the normalization of the drug in pop culture and new ways of using (including edibles, vaporizers, concentrates), it's becoming more complicated to discuss with teens the topic of marijuana use and abuse. Download your free Marijuana Talk Kit.

Launching Attendance Awareness Month 2015
April 15, 2015  11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pacific / 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Eastern
The Ready, Set, Go! Webinar is the first of four webinars providing updated resources for schools and communities, including a revised version of the Count Us In! toolkit. Get inspired about how you can make a difference in reducing the number of students who are chronically absent (missing so much school for any reason they are at risk for not learning to read and eventually dropping out of school). Register now.
What's Happening
NASN's Calendar of Events lists upcoming events for school nursing professionals.  Events happening soon include:

Louisiana School Nurse Association 46th Annual Professional Growth Seminar
April 14-17, 2015
Shreveport, LA

The Role of the CNS in an Educational Setting
April 16, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM Eastern
Green Brook, NJ

Somerset County School Nurses Association New Jersey Meeting
April 16, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM Eastern
Green Brook, NJ

Healthfinder.gov's National Health Observances site lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics.