TSNO’s Progress in Growth ~

Keeping in step with spring, the symbol of new beginnings and new growth, your TSNO Executive Committee has sprung into action in developing new opportunities for you to advance your school nursing education. As TSNO is committed to promoting and supporting the advancement of education of school nurses, we are thrilled to bring to your attention three exciting new education scholarships, available now: Take advantage of this opportunity to grow in your nursing specialty. Further information is offered below in this newsletter. Check it out… it’s just another benefit of being a TSNO member!

Another mark of new growth is our new, updated TSNO logo: It combines the pride we share in our Lone Star State, while combining the lamp as our symbol of nursing. This transformation took many months of discussion and choosing among many designs, but we felt this final version speaks volumes of our pride and professionalism of the Texas School Nurses Organization. I want to thank Joe Luna and Judy Kriehn in offering their talents and creativity, and the many volunteered hours they spent on our behalf.

It’s also exciting to see the steady growth in TSNO membership. We are now 2,199 active members strong! Thank you in renewing your membership while asking others to join us. Advocating is a key component to health promotion practice, while calling for the deliberate process of influencing others at the local, state and federal levels. Together, we have a powerful voice! Your Advocacy Chair, Emily Winn, continues her activism by meeting with legislators and government agencies in preparation of the upcoming 85th Texas Legislature Regular Session. If you are interested in becoming more involved in the legislative process, please contact Emily at emilywinn.tsno@gmail.com, as she would welcome your help.

I’d like to take this opportunity to promote NASN’s winter webinar series. I have viewed many of them, and have always come away impressed by the relevant and important information they share: For instance, check out Standards of Practice for School Nursing, Motivating Interviewing and more. I highly recommend you take advantage of these free webinars. You’ll be glad you did!

In closing, thank you to all Regional Presidents and other regional board members that attended this year’s TSNO Leadership Academy in March. Our progress would not be possible without the excellent leadership of your President-Elect, Lisa Sicilio, and mutual coordination by Sarah Batson, Regional President Coordinator. Together, they paved the way in providing us outstanding speakers with information we can share and use in our nursing practice.

All my best, and in your service,

Francis Luna, RN

TSNO President

Wanted to let rural nurses know that we need applications to fill this position. If you have questions and would like more information, please contact me. anita.wheeler@dshs.state.tx.us or call 512-776-2909

Call for School Registered Nurse from a Rural District – Deadline: April 15, 2016

The commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) requests your assistance in identifying a school registered nurse from a rural school district for membership on the DSHS Stock Epinephrine Advisory Committee. For detailed information and a complete application packet go to the Texas School Health Program's Food Allergy Webpage

Making Strides: State Report Cards on Support for Walking, Bicycling, and Active Kids and Communities

See how TEXAS is doing.

The report cards were developed by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership as part of a partnership with the YMCA of the USA, working together to support communities in becoming places where children and adults can be active and healthy. Support for the report cards was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.