Email from National Association of School Nurses Weekly Digest from NASN View as Webpage September 18, 2025 Register Now: T1D Screening Webinar — Sept. 24 Explore early detection tools, educate families, guide care, and earn NCPD! Learn more. Your Professional Development, Your Schedule  Virtual NASN2025 Extended: Register by Sept. 30—earn up to 20.0 NCPD through Oct. 10. Latest from NASN See more. Upcoming Events See more. Weekly Digest Archive See past issues. President's Message September is Head Lice Prevention Month, and NASN supports evidence-based, nonexclusionary management policies and practices in schools, in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics. The most effective way to reduce and control the prevalence and transmission of head lice, decrease unnecessary absences, and lower stigma is through education, and school nurses play a crucial role. School attendance is vital for student learning and success; exclusionary practices only interrupt the educational process. While head lice are a common nuisance, they do not cause or spread disease and are not considered a health hazard. Still, parents in some states are petitioning districts to restore "no-nit" policies. "It really is about education because there are so many myths and misunderstandings about lice out there," said Cathryn Smith, President-Elect of the Tennessee Association of School Nurses. I encourage school communities to support policies grounded in evidence, not stigma. Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed—without unnecessary barriers to attendance. Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN NASN President Better Health. Better Learning.™   NASN News and Highlights New Issue of NASN School Nurse—Now Available The September issue of NASN School Nurse is packed with practice-related insights—from advocacy and assessment to diabetes care, deep breathing, and more. Here are a few highlights:  Improving School Nurse Confidence With Continuous Glucose Monitoring Technology A Blueprint for School Nurse Advocacy Development of a School Nurse Simulation Boot Camp School Nurse Primer on Gender Identity and Transgender Youth: Part I   Paid advertisement NASN members stay current with free subscriptions to The Journal of School Nursing and NASN School Nurse. Not a member yet? Join the only organization dedicated to empowering school nurses—join NASN today! NASN Calls for Continued Federal Support for School Safety NASN is urging federal leaders to ensure sustained national support for school safety and emergency preparedness following the September 18 closure of the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center. The REMS TA Center provided schools with vital, no-cost training and evidence-based resources that cannot be replicated at the state level. NASN stresses that school nurses are essential partners in emergency planning and calls for guaranteed funding, resources, and school nurse staffing to protect student safety. Read the full release. School Nurse Leader Featured on Telemundo NASN member Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN, PLNC, school/public health nursing expert and Illinois Association of School Nurses Foundation Liaison, appeared on Telemundo to discuss the alarming decrease in vaccination rates and what it means for student and community health. Watch now. School Nurses Oppose Florida’s Plan to Eliminate Vaccine Requirements The Florida Association of School Nurses (FASN) and NASN strongly oppose Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s recent decision to eliminate vaccine mandates across the state, including those required for school entry. School vaccine requirements are a cornerstone of public health, preventing disease outbreaks and keeping students, families, and communities safe. FASN and NASN urge Florida leaders to prioritize the health and safety of all students by maintaining evidence-based immunization policies. Read the full release.   Volunteers Needed: Lend Your Voice, Share Your Skills, Strengthen School Nursing With NASN  Invitation to Become an Item Writer for NASN's New Certificate Program NASN is excited to invite Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to serve as item writers for our new assessment-based certificate program grounded in the NASN School Nursing Practice Framework™. As a part of this remarkable opportunity, SMEs will complete the certificate course, earning 12.5 NCPD contact hours at no cost. You will receive expert training from NBCSN, all while contributing to the creation of high-quality assessment items from September 2025 to February 2026.   This remote volunteer role requires a commitment of just about 2.5 hours per week, and NCSNs will also earn valuable CE credits toward recertification. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in the field of school nursing, please reach out to NASN Chief Program Officer Kimberly Granados at [email protected] by September 30.   The following are paid advertisements   See what 7 out of 10 pediatricians prescribe for head lice! Learn more       Earn a PK-12 School Nurse Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. As a School Nurse, you can greatly make a difference in the lives of young children, our most vulnerable members of the community. If you’re ready to enhance your nursing career in the field of school nursing, submit an application. Get started now.   School Nurses in the News This section highlights news stories featuring NASN and school nurses. If you have a story about school nurses you'd like us to consider including, please send it to us. This School Nurse in Aiken Has Saved Not 1, but 2 Student Lives in 2025 (Source: postandcourier.com) Boy, 12, Gets ‘Dizzy’ at Recess. He Woke Up in the Hospital After Suffering Cardiac Arrest (Source: people.com) One Month Into School Year, Vaccine Compliance Is Unclear in Many Houston-Area Districts (Source: click2houston.com)   Managing Chronic Health Conditions National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Childhood obesity affects more than 14.7 million children and teens in the US, affecting their physical and emotional health in lasting ways, which can also lead to academic challenges. School nurses are uniquely positioned to address these issues, serving as advocates and educators within the school community. The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), through education, resources, and a strong community of support, is here to help children and families thrive. This September, during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, OAC is offering free resources that you can share to help families address the physical, emotional, and social aspects of childhood obesity — from building healthy habits to preventing bullying and understanding treatment options. Looking to dive deeper into the Prevention and Management of Childhood Obesity in Schools and all aspects of the multifaceted role of school nursing? The new, thoroughly updated School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text, available in print and eBook formats, features real-world-tested, best practices based on evidence and experience.   Improving School Community & Student Health Join the Conversation: Focus Group on New Resource for Parents Since school nurses are seen as trusted, accessible sources of support, the Education Development Center (EDC) invites you to join a virtual focus group on October 8 at 4 PM ET. This two-hour session will gather feedback on the film After Your Child's Suicide Attempt, which addresses common caregiver questions and highlights best practices in suicide care that families can revisit in the days and weeks following a child's suicide-related crisis. If you are interested in participating, please complete this brief form. ANHE Opens Applications for 2026 Environmental Health Nurse Fellowship The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) is now accepting applications for the fourth cohort of the Environmental Health Nurse Fellowship Program, which will run from January to December 2026. This program trains nurses to address environmental health challenges, advance climate and health equity, and grow as leaders. Submit your application by October 17, 2025. Get In-School Dental Care For Your Students Tooth decay is the No. 1 chronic disease of children, yet it's preventable with early and consistent dental care. With more than 28 years of experience providing in-school dental care, the Smiles Program makes it easy and convenient for students to access needed dental services in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their school, at no cost to parents/caregivers for children with Medicaid, and at no cost to your school. Find the program in your state at TeddyTheTooth.com. Tomorrow, September 19, is National Concussion Awareness Day School nurses provide leadership/care coordination in collaboration with the school-based team to manage student concussion. Join Concussion Awareness Now in recognizing National Concussion Awareness Day and learn about the seriousness of concussions, the importance of spreading awareness, and the tools available to support you in doing so. Related Resources: The Journal of School Nursing Article: A Description of Suspected Concussions in Football-Related Activities among K-12 Students in Utah American Academy of Pediatrics Return to Learn After Concussion ECHO: Telementoring for School Nurses [.75 NCPD contact hours|free for NASN members]   Mark Your Calendar   Webinar: Early Detection, Lifelong Impact—The Science and Stories Behind Type 1 Diabetes Screening September 24 Learn more and register. Virtual NASN2025 Registration Extended! The registration deadline is now September 30. Start the school year strong—Register Now! NASN2025: Deadline to Earn NCPD for Both In-Person and Virtual October 10 Earn NCPD for: In-Person Virtual Deadline: NASN2026 Presentation Submissions October 11 Learn more and submit your proposal. Application Deadline: NASN Scholarships October 15 Learn more and apply. Proposal Submission Deadline: NASN Research Grants October 31 Learn more and submit.   State Associations of School Nurses' Conferences School Nurse Organization of Washington 2025 Fall Conference - School Nurses: Adapting to a Changing World - October 10-11. Learn more. 2025 Texas School Nurses Organization Conference - School Nurses: Innovating School Health - November 1-2. Learn more. Virginia Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Charting the Course: Navigating the Future of School Nursing - November 8-9. Learn more. Tennessee Association of School Nurses Fall Conference 2025 - Bridging the Gap - November 9-11. Learn more. 2025 Indiana Association of School Nurses Annual Conference - Building Bridges - November 10-11. Learn more. West Virginia Association of School Nurses 2025 Fall Conference - November 13-15. Learn more. Utah School Nurse Association Fall Conference - November 14. Learn more. School Nurse Organization of Minnesota 2025 Conference - November 14-15. Learn more. Delaware School Nurse Association 2025 Fall Conference - November 20. Learn more. NASN Calendar of Events This calendar includes upcoming events hosted by NASN and NASN affiliate school nurse organizations. Access the calendar. NASN CALENDAR National Health Observances Calendar This calendar lists special days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness about important health topics. Access the 2025 calendar. OBSERVANCES CALENDAR Acceptance of advertising on the top or bottom ad banner or other ad placements in this newsletter or resource information listed within in no way implies endorsement of advertised or listed products or services by NASN. No endorsement is intended or implied.   NASN | nasn.org National Association of School Nurses | 1100 Wayne Avenue Suite 925 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice