Texas School Nurses Organization

October 2018

Mission Statement & Vision Statement

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.

President's Message

My journey into Leadership is approaching another intersection and it is quite bittersweet. As I think back on who I was more than 10 years ago when I began serving on the TSNO Executive Committee, I am astounded how much I have grown personally and professionally as I’ve embraced each new leadership pathway.

Words cannot adequately describe how valuable this Leadership Journey has been and will continue to be. All because I had the courage to say “YES” in 2005 when TSNO President Carole Moore asked me if I would fill the Region 6 President position.

Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

You see, I didn’t say yes because I had confidence in the task I was being asked to do, but because someone else believed that I could do it. For many years, I clung to the self-limiting assumption that I was a reluctant leader when those around me believed that I could lead. And now, as my term as President is ending, I can say without hesitation that it has truly been an honor to have served you these many years on the Texas School Nurses Organization and especially as your President.

I encourage you to be courageous and say “YES” when you are asked to get involved and take on a leadership role. You are being asked because others see great potential in you!

Sláinte (health) to you,

Lisa Sicilio, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

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NASN Professional Practice Documents

Professional practice documents reflect the policies or position of the organization pertaining to child health and school nursing professional practice. Professional practice documents shall be supported by evidence, regulations, law, or best practice reports on quality care.

These include Position Statements, Position Briefs, and NASN Joint Statements.

Position Statements are evidence-based papers summarizing the historical, political, and/or scientific aspects regarding a topic related to school nursing, school health services and/or NASN about which NASN should take a stance. It is the official position of the organization that can be shared with members, community media and legislators.

NASN has amazing resources to support our professional practice. There are 15 position statements that were either revised or adopted in 2018.

CARE COORDINATION

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Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. See attached YMHFA Flyer.

For additional information about the YMHFA course, go to:

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/course-types/youth/

LEADERSHIP

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How can you earn national recognition in your nursing specialty?

School nurses are change agents of their nursing profession. Our specialized nursing profession requires ongoing education due to the changing health conditions of the student population, diversity, and issues of today. One way to advance your commitment to demonstrate the best possible care for students and the school community is by taking the National Board for Certification of School Nurses exam. This certification recognizes the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards to promote optimal health outcomes. I recently took my NBCSN exam and passed with success by utilizing the resources they suggested. It is never too late to advance your education and earn national certification in your nursing specialty. The next registration window will begin Nov. 15th.

Are you a data champion?

The new dataset initiative, Every Student Counts, by NASN is your opportunity to gather school data to influence health policy at the local, state and national levels. This data will also affect positive change in school nursing practice and will enhance student health. TSNO is working closely with Anita Wheeler, the School Health Coordinator/Nurse Consultant with the Department of State Health Services in developing the collection process so be watchful for more information on how you can contribute to this important data collection initiative.

How can school nurses promote their practice?

Do you have a story to share of your nursing practice that has improved student outcomes or advanced school health education? Your story is motivating and compelling for everyone, please share those with us so we can publish them in the future TSNO Newsletters. Please send your stories. We want to recognize you for the outstanding work you do. Janis Hogan, NASN Director for Maine, shared her story in an article published on School Nurses offer solace, support to students figuring out gender issues.

In your service,

Francis Luna, BSN, RN, NCSN

NASN-TX Director

Children's Health LIVE (Learning through Interactive Video Education)

Children’s Health LIVE is an accredited, web-based Continuing Education series that enables the review and exchange of ideas between pediatric providers. The goal of this recurring series is to bridge the gap between the presentation of symptoms, diagnosis and referral.

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Asthma Educator Institute

“The American Lung Association is coordinating an Asthma Educator Institute on Thursday and Friday, November 1 &2, 2018 at the Courtyard by Marriott, River Village in New Braunfels, Texas. Please join us and share far and wide. The registration link is: http://action.lung.org/newbraunfelsAEI

For more information contact Kathleen Moseley, Kathleen.moseley@lung.org or phone number: 505-265-0732”

Please see AEI Flyer attached for more information.

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2018 School Nurse of the Year

Congratulations to Miriam Carmichael, BSN, RN from Region 19

Miriam has been a school nurse for 14 years and is considered an expert in the profession of school nursing by her colleagues in the El Paso region. She has been a member of the Nurse Leadership Team in EPISD for the past three years and served as a committee member of the EPISD Nurse Consultative Committee for nine years. She has served as the chair of the nurse peer review committee for EPISD from 2005-2011 and has served as a preceptor for EPCC and UTEP nursing students since 2005.

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2018 School Nurse Administrator of the Year

Congratulations, Susan Luethold BSN, RN, NCSN from Region 4

Susan is one of the founding Board members of TSNO and takes pride in the organization. She currently serves as the Health Services Coordinator for Humble ISD. She has been a nurse with Humble ISD since 1977. Susan supports 65 health services employees. When Susan lost her office to Hurricane Harvey this year , her nurses rallied with notes of encouragement and hours of personal time. She encourages her nurses to become nationally certified and recently persuaded the district administrators to initiate a $3,000 stipend for nationally certified school nurses. She is constantly working to revise polices, protocols, and procedures of school nursing practice in order to accommodate the most recent issues and laws.

Scholarships DEADLINE October 15

CNE Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by funds TSNO has obtained from conference profits and other donations. TSNO has continued to budget and annually provide educational scholarships to TSNO members who are enhancing their education within school nursing. The individual scholarship amount will be up to $200. Requirements: Current active member for the previous two years, current license as nurse in state of Texas, and current full time employment in a school setting EC-12. Access Guidelines & Application

Education Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by funds TSNO has obtained from conference profits and other donations. TSNO has continued to budget and annually provide educational scholarships to TSNO members who are advancing their education within school nursing. The scholarship amount will be up to $1,000 annually. Requirements: Current active member for the previous two years, current license as nurse in state of Texas and current full time employment in a school setting EC-12. Access Guidelines & Application

NBCSN Exam Scholarship Reimbursement

This scholarship supports national certification of school nurses by providing partial reimbursement of the NBCSN Examination Fee up to $200. Requirements: Current active member for the previous two years, current license as nurse in state of Texas, current full time employment in a school setting EC-12, exam must have been taken in the current calendar year, candidate must have passed the certification exam and candidate is not seeking reimbursement from another source. Access Guidelines and Application

Sunny Thomas Memorial Award DEADLINE October 15

Purpose: To promote continuing education for the school nurse.

Award: Provides up to $1000 stipend to one Texas school nurse to attend NASN conference.

Guidelines/Criteria and Application Form

Excellence in School Nursing Poster Presentation DEADLINE October 15

It's time to think about the excellence in school nursing you have been practicing in your clinics and share with your colleagues through a Poster Presentation at our annual conference in November. The Excellence in School Nursing Poster Presentation Guidelines are attached below. Submit with with a one-page abstract of not more than 250 words. Due no later than October 15th. Email to Chanthini Thomas: cthomas.tsno@gmail.com or mail to Texas School Nurses Organization, Inc. 819 W. Arapaho Rd., Suite 24B, #345 Richardson, TX 75080.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

COMMUNITY / PUBLIC HEALTH

Keep Flu out of School

preventchildhoodinfluenza.org

TSNO 16th Annual Conference School Nurses: Practice with Purpose, Professionalism, & Passion

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Power of the Purse

Power of the Purse is TSNO's state conference community fundraiser in which all proceeds will benefit City House.

The mission of City House is to provide emergency shelter and transitional residential services to at-risk children and young adults who are in need due to abuse, neglect or homelessness.

Purse Donation:To make the silent auction process run smoothly, we will be collecting information electronically on your donations. Buy your purse, go to Power of the Purse "Sign up". You will have the opportunity to give a description and value of each purse. Please indicate if you are mailing or bringing to conference your donation.

Please bring your purse for donation to the conference registration desk by Friday, Nov 9th or mail them along with your name, value and description of the purse to:

Texas School Nurses Organization, Inc.

819 W. Arapaho Rd., Suite 24B, #345

Richardson, TX 75080

Event Information

SAVE THE DATE: TSNO 16th Annual Conference School Nurses: Practice with Purpose, Professionalism, & Passion

This CNE activity is being jointly provided by Children’s Health collaboratively with Texas School Nurses Organization.

Children’s Health is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association - Approver, an accredited approver with distinction, by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Contact hours will be awarded.

When?