Texas School Nurses Organization
June 2015
Mission Statement
To promote, protect, and enhance professional school nurse practice through advocacy, evidence-based education, collaboration, and partnerships that support each student’s well-being and readiness to learn.
President's Message
This school year is over for some or will end soon. As we clean out our desk drawers and supply cabinets and pack away for the summer, we reflect of what accomplishments and difficulties we faced in our specialized practice. It’s exciting to see the increased use of the various social media platforms we have at our fingertips, such as NASN/TSNO SchoolNurseNet, Facebook, and Twitter, in networking together in search of best nursing practices. Please take time to read the creative ideas of application in social media in your clinical practice highlighted in the May 2015 issue of NASN School Nurse magazine by Regina Wysocki, BSN, RN - TSNO Communication Coordinator, “Social Media for School Nurses promoting School Health in the 21st Century”. What excitement to see our very own published for all her hard work and passion in what she loves doing. I also applaud all of you in your perseverance and drive to exceed in the health education, and best nursing practices, for your students, families and your communities throughout Texas. And it’s wonderful to see so many of you rightfully recognized for your many achievements.
On a sad note, it has been a year of natural devastation beyond our understanding. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by tornado damage, the terrible flooding, and unrelenting storms, especially for those who have lost or are missing loved ones.
We have learned, laughed, cried, and enriched our lives together. I encourage you to relax and spend some time this summer just on you: Enjoy a relaxing walk, a massage, a favorite hobby, and time with good friends. And may I suggest reading “House Rules” by Jodi Picoult: This will be the book for discussion at the 2015 TSNO Conference book study breakout session in November in Dallas.
It is a joy and honor to be your President: I look ahead to sharing our responsibility to advance the well-being, academic success, and health of all students in Texas.
Smile because YOU made a difference this school year. I wish you and your loved ones health and safety this summer. School Nurses: Quality Care, Quality Profession!
In your service,
Francis Luna, RN
NBCSN Award
April 23, 2015
Amy Marland,
On behalf of that National Board for Certification of School Nurses, I would like to congratulate you for being selected as National Certified School Nurse (NCSN) of the year! The NCSN of the Year is awarded to an NCSN who has promoted certification and professional school nursing as well as enhanced competency in school nursing can be nominated for the NCSN Recognition Award.
From the nominations of peers, your nomination from Katherine Johnson was selected. She noted that your passion for school nursing and national certification is evident to all who meet you. You even committed to returning to school to complete your bachelor's degree in nursing so that you would be qualified to sit for the exam. Katherine said that you promote national certification to other nurses along with your dedication to lifelong learning and professional growth makes you an ideal candidate for recognition. She said that you even plan your family vacations around the national school nurse conference. Hope your family loves Philadelphia this year!
Congratulations, Amy, on this well-deserved award!
Sincerely,
Sue Nokleby
NBCSN President
NASN2015 Philadelphia
As the co-chair of the NASN Endowment Fundraising Committee, I want to invite you to help grow the base of the NASN Endowment. This fund is utilized to fund novel school nursing research, scholarships and grants. Building the base of the Endowment, allows the monetary value of awards to increase. There are three ways you can participate in in the Endowment fundraising at NASN 2015 in Philadelphia:
1. Individuals or Regions can donate a purse.
2. Participate in Purses For Nurses at conference. I challenge you to Change your “Purse”pective: Looking is good, bidding is better!
3. Make a donation to the NASN Endowment fund at the June 25th General Sessions. Cash and checks made payable to the NASN Endowment will be accepted. Check payments are tax deductible. We are unable to give tax receipts for cash.
For more information about how to donate a purse or dollars to the NASN Endowment Fund, contact Laurie G. Combe, MN, RN, NCSN at lcombe.tsno@gmail.com
Step Up and Be Counted!
The NASN "Step UP and Be COUNTED" campaign for school nurses is underway. This is your opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge about school nursing by completing the survey linked here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StepUPandBeCountedTEXAS
Share the survey link with as many school nurses as possible.
While it is preferred that each district collect individual campus level data and enter the data as one entry for the school district, the campus level nurse can complete the survey if district level support is not available. Assembling the data in advance will prepare you for completion of the survey. Survey questions can be viewed by visiting: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/default.shtm.
Scroll down to the Step Up and Be Counted information listed just below the program description and goals. The survey is open until June 15, 2015.
This survey, customized for Texas, is a collaborative project between the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, the Texas School Nurse Organization and the Texas Department of State Health Services. For more information on the national data collection project, please go to: https://www.nasn.org/Research/StepUpBeCounted
Survey goals include:
· Development of a national school nursing data set that describes the work of school nurses.
· Provide for the collection of aggregate school health services data across the nation.
· Identify and define the variables that will make up the uniform data.
· Identify how to actually collect standardized data across the nation.
We thank you for your participation in the survey and look forward to sharing our results in the fall of 2015.
Step UP and Be Counted!
Laurie G. Combe, MN, RN, NCSN
NASN Director – Texas
Legislative Update
June 1st is the last day of the 84th Regular Session. The bill that has had the most questions has been HB 2323 Blanco relating to mandatory spinal screenings for children in certain grades attending public or private schools was referred to the Education Committee 3/17/15. This bill has DIED. Currently the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 37, Abnormal Spinal Curvature requires screening for abnormal spinal curvature for students in grades 6 and 9 attending public and private schools. TSNO will be watching to see how schools will transition from screening grades 5 and 8 to grades 6 and 9 and alert you as soon as we receive information. Seven other bills that TSNO had been watching also died.
The following two bills have passed and signed by the Governor.
SB 66 Hinojosa HB566 Herrero Relating to use of epinephrine auto-injectors on public and open-enrollment charter school campuses and at off-campus school sanctioned events. Clicking on the bill link will take you to the full enrolled text.
SB 97 Hinojosa HB 81 Guillen Relating to regulation of the sale, distribution, possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes; creating offenses.
Update on Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 97, §97.63
Update on Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 97, §97.63: Immunization Requirements in Child-care Facilities, Pre-Kindergarten, Early Childhood Programs, and Texas Elementary and Secondary Schools
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Immunization Branch, is in the process of finalizing rules in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25, Chapter 97, Section §97.63.
No new vaccines have been added to the proposed rule; and, the adopted rule is estimated to be complete by June 2015. Current requirements were renewed to avoid lapses in requirements by school years and to clean up non-substantive language. Once final, the Immunization Branch will distribute the 2015-2016 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12. The schedule will be made available on the Immunization Branch website at www.ImmunizeTexas.com, under the School and Child-Care Section. The department is not proposing new vaccine requirements for the 2015-16 school year.
GET VACCINATED!
For more information contact Deidra Robertson- Ink Lake at deidra@camplonghorn.com
or Blair Manning- Indian Springs- blair@camplonghorn.com
Or apply online https://www.camplonghorn.com/SummerStaff/Apply
Continuing Education Opportunities
TSNAA Registration
c/o Denise Kablaitis
2404 Linville Ridge Ln
Pflugerville, Texas 78660
Texas School Nurses Organization Annual Conference
Friday, Nov 13, 2015, 08:00 AM
Sheraton Dallas Hotel, North Olive Street, Dallas, TX, United States
TSNO Executive Committee
PRESIDENT Francis Luna - Region X
PRESIDENT-ELECT Lisa Sicilio - Region 6
TREASURER Joan Cary - Region X
NASN DIRECTOR Laurie Combe - Region 4
SECRETARY/ EXHIBIT LIAISON Lisa Formby - Region 16
NOMINATIONS COORDINATOR Katie Morton - Region X
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Diane Hunt Bullard - Region 20 tsnornplanner@gmail.com
ADVOCACY CHAIR
SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES Karen Schwind - Region 13
MEMBER SERVICES Linda Howard - Region 8
REGION PRESIDENTS COORDINATOR Ramon (Art) Oaxaca - Region 19
Email: lsicilio.tsno@gmail.com
Website: txsno.org
Location: Richardson, Tex, United States
Phone: (979) 694-5800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Texas.School.Nurses.Organization
Twitter: @TxSchlNurses