During this season of giving, I am acutely aware that some of our students are in need of food, warm clothing and other basic needs.
Throughout this issue of the NASN Weekly Digest, you will see how each of us can help our students access programs to help meet these needs. Programs to access health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, assistance to address the social determinants of health and much more are referenced in this week's digest.
As we take in the sights and sounds of the season, thank you for being mindful of your students and their families who need us more than ever.
Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN
NASN President
BETTER HEALTH. BETTER LEARNING. ™
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Give the Gift of Health!
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Data and Lessons Learned from 2014-15 Uniform School Nurse Data Set
In 2014, school nurses were invited to join the joint initiative: Step Up and Be Counted! The focus of the 2014-15 academic year was to establish the processes for collecting national data from every working school nurse. Listen to a webinar recently presented and access an infographic to learn the results.
Enhance Cultural Sensitivity and Cross-cultural Nursing Skills
Cultural Competency: Strategies to Reduce Health Disparities in School-age Children is the newest course in the NASN Learning Center. The course is presented by a panel of school nurse leaders and educators from a variety of geographical and practice areas. Participants will receive 4.0 CNE contact hours upon successfully completing the course. Free to NASN members. Learn more.
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School Nurses in the News
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Collaboration and Staying Current Are Keys to Success for High School Nurse
Vineyard Gazette (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts)
With support from an Enhanced School Health Services Grant, NASN Member Linda Leonard, school nurse at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, travels off-Island to connect with other school nurses to share ideas and get up to date on the newest regulations. "Nurses have to be educated every day to new treatments, new protocols, new mandates," she said. "The education of nurses is a public issue." Read the article. |
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National News That Matters to You
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Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Set for a Vote
The ESSA, the successor to No Child Left Behind, is set to be voted on by the House and Senate and contains an important provision that calls out the care of chronic care management led by school nurses. Learn more about the bill and read the specific school nurse language on page 481.
Continue Flu Vaccination Through the Holidays & Beyond
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will be observed December 6-12 across the country. Raise your voice and provide a strong recommendation for everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine this year - it's not too late. Access activities and materials (key points, web tools, flyers, and more), and take and share the flu pledge.
Health Care Coverage for Students
Do you have uninsured students? School nurses have a vital role in making sure that families know how to get coverage and help applying. From the youngest preschoolers to teens in high school, students are better able to excel when they have the health care services they need. Families can be directed to HealthCare.gov to shop and apply for affordable coverage. If families have questions the Marketplace Call Center is open 24 hours a day toll-free at 1-800-318-2596. In-person, local assistance can be found at Localhelp.healthcare.gov.
Recall - Inaccurate Temperature Display
Digital Temple Thermometer (DTT) by K-Jump Health Co., Ltd.
Some Digital Temple Thermometers contain a manufacturing problem causing the affected thermometers to display temperatures that are inaccurate and lower than actual body temperatures read entire FDA safety alert.
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School Nurses: The Voice for Children's Health
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School Nurses Represented at the American Public Health Association Meetings
Presentations about several of NASN's projects were shared, including Step Up and Be Counted!, the newly adopted Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice, and the role school nurses play to combat absenteeism. NASN was honored to be included as a new member of the Quad Council/Coalition and was able to share school nurse's contribution to community/public health.
NASN Attends a North American School Health Leaders Forum
Meeting participants included school health leaders from several different countries including the United States and Canada. The meeting discussed the development of a white paper and other strategies for changing structural/process barriers for including school health services in all schools. Learn more with NASN's Talking Points document, Encouraging Innovative Financing Opportunities to Support, Promote and Expand Access to Student Health Services. |
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State by State - Substance Misuse Prevention Report Card
Reducing Teen Substance Misuse: What Really Works. This report includes state-by-state youth drug overdose death rates and rankings, and a report card for how well states scored on 10 key indicators of leading evidence-based policies and programs that can improve the well-being of children and youth and have been connected with preventing and reducing substance misuse - alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Learn more. Mental Health Training Interventions Course
In the article, Supporting Student Mental Health,from Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses, read about increasing access to school mental health care and the free course Mental Health Training Intervention for Health Providers in Schools (MH-TIPS). MH-TIPS was developed through a collaborative effort that included NASN. Participants will receive 12 CNE upon successful completion. Read this article and learn more.
CDC Environmental Health Infographics
Infographics about topics including asthma & air pollution, carbon monoxide, children's environmental health, and lead poisoning make it easy to share complex information in an easy-to-understand format. Access these infographics.
A series of infographics about pediatric medical home targeted toward pediatric health care professionals is now available. These infographics were designed to raise awareness about how children are unique and address actions child health professional can take to advocate for children. Go to the American Academy of Pediatrics' website to access.
Social Determinants of Health: Know What Affects Health
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resource provides Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data, tools for action, programs, and policy. They may be used by people in public health, community organizations, and health care systems to assess SDOH and improve community well. See the resources.
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NASN Affiliate school nurse organizations should be sure to share their spring and summer conference dates with NASN by using the calendar listing form. |
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