President's Message
Reflection on Winter Freeze February 2021
Having grown up in Ohio, I’ve been through many a snow storm. The Blizzard of ’78 comes to mind as I was in nursing school and lived in a dorm adjacent to the school. Basically, student nurses ran the hospital! But never in all my years in Ohio did I experience a winter storm like the one in Texas last month.
This quote helped me to keep perspective during our Snow days and Winter Freeze 21! It truly is hard to believe that winter could cause so much stress and major issues for all of us all in one week! Some or you suffered from basic things like food and water, lack of heat or broken pipes, while others supported family, neighbors and friends who were seeking shelter and warmth. After the return to school, we discovered just how many of our families were effected by this storm. My hope is that power is restored by now and pipes are being repaired.
The stressors of that week will surely continue to surface as we emotionally heal from a winter storm like no other in the midst of a pandemic like no other! More important than ever is the need to heal yourselves before you can begin to help others heal.
Coping with the Stress of a Disaster
https://www.workhealthlife.com/Article/Read/coping-with-the-stress-of-a-disaster
Taking Care of your Emotional Stress Emotional Impact of Disasters
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
Emotional Impact of Disasters
https://texasready.gov/be-informed/mental-health/emotional-impact-of-disasters.html
If your district participates, consider the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides immediate and confidential assistance for any work, health or life concern. If you need someone to talk to in a confidence, please take advantage of the employee benefit. You can call 888-293-6948, text MSEAP to 53342, chat online at www.workhealthlife.com, email or download the app.
Amidst the craziness of being at home, I had to find time to play in the snow. Here are a few of my child-like attempts to enjoy the beauty of snow I have never seen in all the years I’ve lived in south Texas! Enjoy your spring break and take a much-needed break just for you!
From the February 2021 Edition of American Nurse, published by American Nurse Association: School nurses: Keeping school children, families, and communitieshealthy https://www.myamericannurse.com/school-nurses-keeping-school-children-families-and-communities-healthy/ (pdf attached
Notes from Your NASN Director!
Monthly Director’s Message
NASN continues to focus on the future, providing new resources and programs to enhance the practice of school nursing. In January, the NASN Board of Directors approved several new position statements: Position statements are evidence-based papers, which provide the official position of the organization on specific topics, something I use extensively when speaking with legislators, media, parents, and community partners. The recently approved position statements are as follows:
· Concussions: School Based Management
· Education, Licensure, and Certification of School Nurses
· Use of Restraint and Seclusion in the School Setting
Other valuable new resources include the newly released Emergency Medications Toolkit located in the NASN Learning Center. It supports school nurses in implementing evidence-based practice for emergency medication administration.
The COVID-19 Reference site was recently redesigned and launched with a fresh new look and improved navigation.
Please mark your calendar for the online 2021 NASN Election opens March 15. Please exercise your right to vote as a member.
In your service,
Francis
Francis Luna, MSN, RN, NCSN
NASN-TX Directo
From the NASN Weekly Digest:
NASN and school nurses have been widely represented in the news media over the past few months and we are now including a section in the Weekly Digest to highlight some of those stories twice a month. If you have a story about school nurses you'd like us to consider including, please send it to us.
· Kristi Rice and Liz Pray: Now more than ever, we need school nurses (Source: The Spokesman-Review)
Georgia’s school nurses chart new territory in pandemic (Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
School Health Issues Committee would like to hear from you!
Please send us what information you need to know about that pertains to School Health. We will focus on YOUR ideas and requests.
Please email:
Amber Cichocki RN: acichockitsno@gmail.com
Michelle Butler RN: mbutler@essc12.net
Ada Salazar RN: acsalazar3b@gmail.com
Amy Martinez RN: alyons@neisd.net
Jennifer Christian RN: jchristian@atlisd.net
The 87th Legislative Session was going to be Public Health’s time to shine, but the ERCOT calamity has stepped into the spotlight for now - not only consuming legislators’ time but also the state’s money. However, the show must go on - and so it will, especially with YOUR help.
If you haven’t already done so, NOW is the time to introduce yourself to your state senator and/or representative. Not sure what to say? Here is a sample note to get you started. This could be a quick handwritten note card or an email. If you mail a card, make sure you include a business card or your contact information. Learn how to find mailing and email addresses for your senator or representative. (Not sure who represents you? Click HERE to find out.)
Throughout the session you’ll need to communicate with these people about specific bills related to nursing and student health. Representative Celia Israel says the best way to communicate is a short-and-sweet, personal note. Email is often best for this; things happen FAST when bills start moving. Not sure what to say? Here is a sample note for reaching out about specific bills.
The email option is quick and easy, and the message still gets conveyed. Remember, every small action you do amplifies the voice of school nurses everywhere!
For the most up-to-date Bill Trackers for TSNO, go to the TSNO website and look under: About TSNO > Legislative Priorities
NASN Elections 2021 Ad
This file contains a list of those running for office, instructions on casting your online ballot, deadlines, and more information on the election process.
Thank you for helping us reach all members with this important information. If you have any questions, please visit the election website, www.nasn.org/about-nasn/elections
Looking for #COVID19 Testing, Therapeutics, or Vaccine Providers in Texas???
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
Super Summer Texas
Super Summer is a teaching ministry hidden in a camp. We support churches by teaching 7th - 12th grade students to know and share the gospel. Each summer we program five events (sessions/weeks) on five Texas Baptist university campuses. Our events are made possible through the service of adult volunteers in a wide variety of areas from teaching, administration, team-building, security, small group leaders, etc. Due to the size (300-700 people/event) of our events and the requirements set forth by the universities we recruit qualified individuals to serve as volunteer Medical Staff.
We try to recruit two to three licensed or certified medical professionals in order to have a full Medical Staff at each session of Super Summer. The Medical Staff responsibilities include, but are not limited to, being “on call” during the week of Super Summer to assess, treat and/or refer medical complaints for outside treatment. Medical Staff also manages the collection and administration of medication.
Care for Your Students and You
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.
Did you know...
TSNO Executive Committee
ELECTED OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT Karen Schwind - Region 13
PRESIDENT-ELECT Laurie Smith - Region 8
TREASURER Luisa Herrera- Region 19
SECRETARY Lisa Formby - Region 16
NASN DIRECTOR Francis Luna - Region X
NOMINATIONS COORDINATOR Deana Bunting - Region 5 deanabunting.tsno@gmail.com
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lisa Sicilio- Region 6
ADVOCACY CHAIR Becca Harkleroad- Region 13
SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES Amber Cichocki- Region X
MEMBER SERVICES Brandy Bowlen - Region IV brandybowlen.tsno@gmail.com
APPOINTED COORDINATORS:
Membership Coordinator Ronnie Howard - Region IV ronniehoward.tsno@gmail.com
REGION PRESIDENTS Coordinator Denise Kablaitis - Region 13
COMMUNICATIONS Coordinator Monica Porras- Region 15
EXHIBIT LIAISON Elizabeth Goedde - Region IV ElizabethGoedde.tsno@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE BOARD LIAISON/ WEBSITE & MARKETING COORDINATOR Kara DeLay - Region 8 kdelay@atlisd.net
Email: bbowlen1@kleinisd.net
Website: txsno.org
Location: Richardson, Tex, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Texas.School.Nurses.Organization
Twitter: @TxSchlNurses
