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.

School nurses gather in Washington, DC for advocacy training, networking with other nurses, panel sessions with professional nurse advocates, and the opportunity to meet with the offices of representatives and senators, speaking out in one voice on behalf of millions of students throughout our nation. Photographs by Joe Luna as he accompanied NASN's Texas Director Francis Luna RN and NASN President-elect Laurie Combe RN as they visited on the Hill.

The 86th Legislative Session is in session at the Texas Capitol. I recently had the opportunity to testify before the Texas House of Representatives’ Public Health Committee. While speaking in favor of HB 2243, I relayed a story of my student whose forgotten albuterol MDI resulted in an ambulance ride and ER visit. As 21st Century School Nurses, we are all advocates for improvement of care coordination and policy development related to patient care.

It was also empowering to promote the specialty of school nursing. Being able to publicly highlight the education, training, and licensure that we have as professional nurses helps to slowly eliminate the long-held public perception of the school nurse’s office as a first aid station. With the legislative session in full swing, now is the time to reach out to your own state representatives and senators to advocate for student health the practice of school nursing. You can go HERE to find out who represents you. Also, make sure you follow TSNO’s legislative priorities and progress by clicking HERE.

Be well,

Becca Harkleroad, RN

Lake Travis ISD

Austin, TX

The TSNO Leadership Academy 2019 took place on March 22 - 23 at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, San Antonio Texas. Thirty nurses were in attendance including Regional Presidents or a representative from the region and the Board of Directors. Activities included and update on the Innovation Action Plan for Membership Growth and a review and update of the Strategic Plan. Professional development opportunities included Transformational Leadership Strategies and a TSNO Advocacy Update. The weekend offered an unique opportunity for professional and leadership growth while collaborating with nurses from across our fine state to carry on our mission: 'To enhance whole student wellness and learning by advancing school nursing practice and vision: Student access to health and learning. All day. Every day.'

April

• Alcohol Awareness Month
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
• National Autism Awareness Month
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
• National Donate Life Month
• National Facial Protection Month
• National Interprofessional Health Care Month
• National Minority Health Month
• Occupational Therapy Month
• Oral Cancer Awareness Month
• Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month of Action
• Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
• STI Awareness Month
• Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
• Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month
• 1 - 7 National Public Health Week – Healthiest Nation 2030: Changing Our Future Together
• 2 Sexual Assault Awareness Day of Action
• 7 World Health Day
• 8 - 12 National Youth Violence Prevention Week
• 10 National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day
• 11 National Alcohol Screening Day ®
• 15 National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
• 18 RAINN Day
• 21 - 27 National Infertility Awareness Week
• 22 - 28 World Immunization Week
• 22 - 26 Every Kid Healthy™ Week
• 24 World Meningitis Day
• 26 - May 03 National Infant Immunization Week
• 29 - May 03 Air Quality Awareness Week

Approximately 300 attendees rallied for the Texas Immunization Partnership and Immunize Texas were present April 2, 2019 on the steps of the Capitol to show our lawmakers that the majority of Texans support vaccines. TSNO was represented at the Rally! Becca Harkleroad, Denise Kablaitis and Karen Schwind visited with lawmakers to share vaccination stories. The primary focus bills were HB 1966 and SB 873 which clarifies child care centers may provide notice of the percentage of immunized children in their facility. The parent right to know HB 3551 and SB 329 reference Parent notification bill regarding Campus Level Non-Medical Vaccine Exemption Reporting.

Karen Schwind represented TSNO in testifiing before the Public Education Committee in support of HB 1517 authored by Representative Coleman. This is the Parent Notification Bill when a nurse is not present on a campus. Some pointers from this testimony included " Upon enrolling and dropping their student with medical needs off at school, the parent assumes there is a licensed nurse to care for their child in the parent’s absence. Parents have a right to know in order to make decisions in meeting their child's needs so they can realize their full potential in education.......Imagine the crisis that may ensue in the following examples:

• The young student who has an asthma attack and is unable to administer lifesaving medication to themselves.
• The student with diabetes who has an insulin pump, sliding insulin to blood glucose scale and a carbohydrate calculation needing to be completed prior to eating lunch.
• The student allergic to nuts who accidentally ingests a cookie from a friend containing pecans.
• The student who has the gastrostomy tube with every 4 hour feedings

For the health and safety of all of our school age children, we owe it to the parents of these children to notify them when there is not a nurse present. Please consider advocating for our children and supporting HB 1517. To read the bill in it's entirety, please visit HB 1517.