Texas School Nurses Organization

To enhance whole student wellness in support of health and learning by advancing school nursing practice.

Student access to health and learning. All day. Every day.

This newsletter takes NASN’s Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice approach.

Registration is currently in progress for this year's conference! Early-bird pricing and hotel reservations have been extended through October! YES --- WE ARE MEETING IN PERSON! As your TSNO President, I've received many questions asking WHY? Why in person this year during a pandemic. My answer is simple: Kids have been in school last year and this year. As their school nurses, case managers and care givers during the school day, we owe it to them and ourselves to gather to learn all we can to continue to safely care for them! You deserve to collaborate with nurses who are in the same circumstances as you are! And you can apply any mitigation efforts you would like!

Friday's optional offerings are inclusive of the requirements for Texas Board of Nursing license renewal. Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to specific school nurse topics. Review the Conference Brochure for more information. Deadline to register is October 31, 2021! There will be vendors who have waited 2 years to see you! We've built in time to chat, collaborate and mentor and your evenings can be spent enjoying nearby Grapevine, with shopping, restaurants, wineries, breweries and more! The Embassy Suites is a beautiful hotel with many onsite amenities and shopping across the street, and an attached sporting shop!

So please, join me! Attend just for you! Ask your school district and superintendent to pay for your conference fee and travel! How can they say no to learning how to best care for kids! I can't wait to see you and visit IN PERSON! Feel free to email any questions my way!

Karen S. Schwind, BSN, RN, NCSN

TSNO President

Cindy Moore, RN

Present Employment: School Nurse, Sealy Elementary, August 2019 to Present

Education: Graduated from Wharton County Community College, Wharton, Texas in May 2011. Pursuing BSN at UTA, Arlington, Texas with expected graduation date of December 2022.

Membership and Achievements: TSNO and NASN member Red Cross Sponsor, 2016-2019 Campus Based Leadership Team, 2016-2019 Included in presenting at the Region 6 2021 Conference, Transitioning to School Nursing.

Previous Employment: School Nurse at Clements High School from 2016-2019 School Nurse at Bellville Junior High School from 2013-2015 Home Health Case Manager from 2012-2014 and 2015-2016 Medical Surgical Floor Nurse from 2011-2012

Statement of View: I am passionate about School Nursing! I feel this profession is a true calling, and I am blessed to serve, educate, and advocate for the health needs of students and staff in our school systems. School Nursing is often misunderstood, and it is my desire to bridge the gap between school nurses, administrators, school boards and government agencies. A true focus of mine is school nursing policy and procedure and representing all school nurses professionally. In this position of Secretary, I see opportunity to support the Executive Committee while upholding the mission statement of TSNO, “To enhance whole student wellness and learning by strengthening school nursing practice”. I would love the opportunity to professionally advocate for all school nurses, school communities, and school nursing practice.

Adalia DelBosque, MSN, RN, NCSN

Professional Experience: Sixteen years McAllen ISD Director of School Health Services oversees 33 campuses, approximate 25,000 students and 39 registered nurses and 14 nurse assistants. Seven years McAllen ISD Wellness Specialist. Eleven years McAllen ISD School Nurse and eight years acute care nursing at Edinburg Hospital.

Education: University of Pan American University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1997); University of Texas Brownsville, Master of Science in Nursing (2014); National Certified School Nurse (2019)

School Nurse Organization Membership: National School Nurse Organization, Texas School Nurse Administrator Alliance Organization, Texas State Nurse Organization, Texas State Nurse Organization- Region One Member, TSNO; Vice-President 2006, President –Elect 2007, President -2008, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Texas School Nurse Organization- Executive Board Member- Secretary 2016

Awards and Community Involvement: National Award for Voices of Meningitis Challenge 2010 - Vaccinate Before You Graduate Vaccination Campaign, Awards for Excellence in Texas School Health 2012- Discovery Award “Improving Asthma Knowledge in Schools”, Speaker for TSNO “Voices of Meningitis”– 2011, Speaker for IZSA Immunize San Antonio “Voices of Meningitis”- 2012, Program Speaker for Sanofi – Sklice, Presenter Texas Medicaid Board 2013, 2014, South Texas Immunization Coalition Committee Member, Asthma Coalition Project Committee Member, Board member for South Texas Juvenile Diabetes, American Heart and American Cancer Association, March of Dimes – Executive Leadership Committee Member

Did you know that every year TSNO grants a $1000 stipend to attend NASN conference?

Deadline is October 15th!

Apply today!!

https://www.txsno.org/abouttsno/awards/sunnythomas

We have established the TSNO Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will provide assistance to nurses that have experienced a natural disaster.

Please bring your purse for donation to the conference registration desk upon check-in to the conference.

Please sign up your donations here: https://forms.gle/13JdxZYcME3ABhoh9. Only complete ONE form for each donation.

Thank you so much for your donation and making this successful so we can support our communities and School Nurses in need.

If you have questions, please reach out to Denise Petherbridge at denisek.tsno@gmail.com.

Proposed bylaw changes to be voted on during Business Meeting to be held Sunday, 11/14/2021. The change is proposed to provide consistent language with the NASN bylaws and provide for the non-RN membership:

Current language:

Article III.

B. Associate members shall be: Any registered professional nurse, licensed by the State of Texas, who is not eligible for Active membership, but who serves a school as a school nurse, upon payment of dues, shall be an Associate member.

Proposed change is:

Article III.

B. Associate: A licensed nurse who serves with the primary assignment, the administration, education, or the provision of school health services, but is who not eligible for active membership, upon payment of dues may be an associate member. Associate members shall not vote or hold office in TSNO.

Fall is my favorite time of the year: I welcome the cooler weather and breath-taking fall foliage replacing the usual Texas summer heat waves, which can last many days without relief. A new season always brings new opportunities and change.

October offers important NASN opportunities for school nursing growth. Please note the deadlines that are rapidly approaching: I encourage you to apply for any of these great choices towards the advancement of your nursing education and school nursing practice.

• 2022 NASN Conference call for Abstracts & Poster Presentation, deadline is October 11th

• Scholarship Application, deadline October 15.

• Research Grant Application, deadline October 31.

TSNO also offers scholarships with approaching deadlines of October 15th:

• CNE Scholarship

• Education Scholarship

• NBCSN Exam Scholarship Reimbursement

Finally, if you know a colleague or come across a school nurse who is not a member of TSNO/NASN, please reach out to him or her with a sincere invitation to become a member. As you know, the benefits are abundant, the value of connecting with other school nurses across the nation is priceless, and members are easily able to enhance their professional growth.

Please reach out to me at francisluna.tsno@gmail.com or cell 972-788-1088 if you have any concerns or questions. Take care and be safe, and I wish you continued success.

In your service,

Francis

Francis Luna, MSN, RN, NCSN

TSNO-NASN TX Director

The third session is under way at the state capitol. A handful of bills have been filed, but really there's not much time to take any meaningful action on legislation while the redistricting discussions take up all the air in the room. I will update you on anything that makes it to the floor. Please let me know if there's something you want me to help keep an eye on.

In other advocacy-related news, Texas school nurses have helped shine a light on the challenges of school nursing regarding COVID case management and the need for public health protocols to be followed. Always impressive to hear our nurses tell their stories!

On that note, please join us for the TSNO conference coming up in November. This is such a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with your peers from across the state and find out what other folks are doing - what works, how they have asked for and received support, and other interesting pieces of info that could inform your own practice. And of course, plenty of relevant CNEs targeted toward our school nursing specialty. Hope to see you there!

Becca Harkleroad, RN, NCSN

Advocacy Chair

Texas School Nurses Organization

Cell: 512.659.6149

NASN Executive Director Donna Mazyck & Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Director Dr, Marc Brackett discuss the impacts of hindered emotional expression & the importance of emotional intelligence in becoming a compassionate scientist & curious explorer.

Click HERE to access.

Martha Dewey Bergren, editor of The Journal of School Nursing, interviews author Christine A. Feeley to discuss their article, "Sleep in Parental Caregivers and Children With Type 1 Diabetes". Click HERE to access the podcase.

HOW TO OBSERVE #DownSyndromAwarenessMonth

Throughout the month, join events to help break down barriers and spread awareness. Advocate for people with Down syndrome honoring their continued contributions to businesses, classrooms, and families. Use #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth to post on social media.

Oliver Foundation works to encourage children, families and community in Texas to improve the nutrition and physical activity of K-12 students. The Healthy Choices Grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations, agencies and schools. They will need to demonstrate the greatest need and likelihood of a sustainable impact on children’s nutrition and activity levels through innovative programs. Applications are due April 15, July 15, and October 15, 2021.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management has maps for that!

• Testing Locations: http://COVIDtest.TDEM.Texas.gov
• Vaccine Providers: http://meds.TDEM.Texas.gov
• Therapeutic Providers: http://meds.TDEM.Texas.gov

We are still missing a few Region Presidents, so if you are a President or know one, please reach out to Denise Petherbridge as soon as possible! Lots of great things are happening!

Did you know that less than half of school nurses in Texas know about TSNO and all of the benefits? We challenge you to ask! You could be the one who introduces them to those precious vision vouchers for their students or to other school nurses who can support them. Tell them what being a member of TSNO means to you! Feel free to give them our TSNO infographic.

VSP Vision Care's Sight for Students program is open to NASN members. Through this partnership, NASN members receive gift certificates they can share with qualifying students 19 years of age or younger.

The best professional liability rates available are extended to NASN members through NASN's partnership with Lockton Affinity.

The UnaRxCard is a discount prescription drug card that can lower the cost of many prescription medications and things like diabetes supplies, hearing aides and glasses. The card is available to NASN members and can be shared with others including students and their families.

The TSNO website has a "Resource" link with so much valuable information in just one click of the mouse! Examples include advocacy tools, AED's, asthma resources, confidentiality, diabetes care manual, federal agency links, food allergies, models, IHP Templates (my personal favorite), position statements, Scope and Standards, and so much more! Check it out at this link:

http://www.txsno.org/tsnoresources

ELECTED OFFICERS:

PRESIDENT Karen Schwind - Region 13

karenschwind.tsno@gmail.com

PRESIDENT-ELECT Laurie Smith - Region 8

Lsmith1@pittsburgisd.net

TREASURER

SECRETARY Lisa Formby - Region 16

lisa.formbytsno@gmail.com

NASN DIRECTOR Francis Luna - Region 10

francisluna.tsno@gmail.com

NOMINATIONS COORDINATOR Deana Bunting - Region 5

deanabunting.tsno@gmail.com

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lisa Sicilio- Region 6

lsicilio.tsno@gmail.com

ADVOCACY CHAIR Becca Harkleroad- Region 13

bechark.tsno@gmail.com

SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES Amber Cichocki- Region 10

acichocki.tsno@gmail.com

MEMBER SERVICES Brandy Bowlen - Region 4

brandybowlen.tsno@gmail.com

APPOINTED COORDINATORS:

Membership Coordinator Ronnie Howard - Region 4

ronniehoward.tsno@gmail.com

REGION PRESIDENTS Coordinator Denise Petherbridge - Region 13

denisek.tsno@gmail.com

COMMUNICATIONS Coordinator Monica Porras- Region 15

monicaporras.tsno@gmail.com

EXHIBIT LIAISON Elizabeth Goedde - Region 4

ElizabethGoedde.tsno@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE BOARD LIAISON/ WEBSITE & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Kara DeLay - Region 8

kdelay@atlisd.net

Email: monicaporras.tsno@gmail.com
Website: txsno.org
Location: Richardson, TX, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Texas.School.Nurses.Organization
Twitter: @TxSchlNurses

Connect with with TSNO on LinkedIn and grow your professional network!