Texas School Nurses Organization
December 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
As we approach the end of the year, I want to take this moment to thank you once again for being a valued member of TSNO. In 2013/14, we had an annual average membership of 2,033, with membership increasing to 2,177 in 2014/15. Exciting news, and it’s all because of you… And your continuing efforts to promote, recruit and retain members!
Reflecting on this year’s accomplishments, TSNO began the year with an innovative Strategic Plan which met the goals of school nursing practice, advocacy, and communication. We achieved a significant victory for TSNO in the legislative session with Senate Bill 66, relating to the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. TSNO was instrumental in working with Senator Hinojosa to add a school nurse as a member of the Advisory Committee in its language. Other milestones in healthcare collaboration were developing deeper ties with the Texas Nurses Association, the Texas PTA, the Texas Immunization Coalition, and the Texas Orthopedic Association. November featured both the rollout of the new TSNO website, with easier navigation and access to resources, and the 2015 TSNO Conference in Dallas, which held abundant opportunities for gaining rich education and skills in the promotion of health for the whole child. I would like to thank NASN President, Beth Mattey, for sending us her special message for all who attended conference. Please take a moment to listen to it below and on our Website. Her message perfectly echoed the conference theme, Promoting the Health of the Whole Child.
Looking ahead to 2016, we have the related challenges of increasing and retaining membership. It is through momentum and strength that we grow and progress, and today, TSNO is stronger and better because of you. Your TSNO Executive Board will be meeting in January to continue the Strategic Plan’s advancement of school nursing education, as well as developing new initiatives for 2016.
Warmest wishes for Peace and Joy this Holiday Season, and a New Year of Health, Happiness and Prosperity.
In your service,
Francis Luna, RN
Congratulations to our new Secretary, Adalia DelBosque
Adalia has been a school nurse for 27 years, having served as a school nurse in all three grade levels, Wellness Specialist, and currently the Director of Health Services with McAllen ISD. We look forward to working with her as she shares her expertise and professionalism with us and all of you.
Front Row: Art Oaxaca- Regional Presidents Liaison, Francis Luna- President, Lisa Sicilio- President-Elect, Karen Schwind- School Health Issues Chair.
Back Row: Linda Howard- Membership Chair, Alicia Whitehead- 2015 Site Chair, Joan Cary- Treasurer, Wendi Kendrick- Registrar, Martha Anderson- Marketing, Lisa Formby- Secretary/ Exhibitor Liaison, Diane Hunt-Bullard- Professional Development Chair, Regina Wysocki- Communication Coordinator, Laurie Combe- NASN Director, Katie Morton- Nominations Chair, Kara Delay- Website Liaison
Conference Photos by Joe Luna Photography
School Nurse Administrator of the Year
School Nurse of the Year
Children's Health
Region 19 well represented at TSNO Annual Conference
Awesome Poster Presenters
Contact Your US Senator NOW!
I am happy to report that the US House of Representatives has passed the Every Student Succeeds Act! This act was one of NASN’s major legislative pushes for the past year. While in Washington last January, I met with both Texas Senator’s aides and my Representative’s aide to discuss the importance of including school nurses in the language of this bill. The bill, as passed by the house recognizes the school nurse’s expertise in chronic disease management. Your voice is need to encourage Senators Cornyn and Cruz to:
1. Vote for the Senate version of this bill
2. Ensure that nursing language remains in the bill.
a. You might say that Chronic Disease management is one more area where the expertise of school nurses helps keep student safe, healthy and ready to learn. (Remember to use your own word so they don’t get 2177 messages exactly alike.)
I have included links to both Senators electronic contact page.
http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=email_senator
http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm
If you would like to read the bill follow this link http://edworkforce.house.gov/uploadedfiles/every_student_succeeds_act_-_conference_report.pdf
See page 481 for “Section 4108 (C) (ii) (ii) support a healthy, active life- style, including nutritional education and regular, structured physical education activities and programs, that may address chronic disease management with instruction led by school nurses, nurse practitioners, or other appropriate specialists or professionals to help maintain the wellbeing of students;”.
You can read more about the impact of this legislation on state control of education at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/12/esea_reauthorization_coasts_th.html.
Region News
Beginning with the new year, membership reimbursements to each region will go up slightly.
Currently TSNO rebates $12 per member to each region. Checks mailed in late December will be for Sept, Oct and November rebates. (at the $12 rebate/member.)
Checks mailed in March 2016 will be for the months of Dec, Jan and Feb memberships, and will reflect the increased rebate of $ 16/member.
Interactive Online Course: Nursing Regulations for Safe Practice through the Texas Board of Nursing
This course meets the 2-Hour CNE requirement for nursing jurisprudence and ethics established during the 2013 Legislative Session.
Please note: Once purchased, this course must be completed within 3 weeks.
DESCRIPTION
The Texas Board of Nursing's Nursing Regulations for Safe Practice course is designed to promote patient safety by providing current laws and rules that uphold safe nursing practice. This course is applicable to all nursing practice settings and meets the continuing education requirements set forth in the Texas Board of Nursing Rules.
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. For more information and to REGISTER.
Tick-borne Disease Training from NASN Available to All
"Tick-borne Illness: Prevention, Assessment and Care," a training program developed by the National Association of School Nurses in conjunction with the CDC, is now available online. This FREE hour long course provides information on preventing, recognizing, and treating tick-borne diseases. To access the program, click here. Upon successful completion of this offering, participants will receive 1.0 CNE contact hour. Expires 1/15/16
Spinal Screening Program
Announcement
Spinal Screening Grades for the 2015/2016 School Year
In response to continued discussions with many of you and further review, the Department of State Health Services has determined that flexibility exists in the current rule language to allow schools to screen for spinal abnormality in grades 6th and 9th, or 5th and 8th.
The department recognizes that although legislation did not pass this session to statutorily align spinal screening requirements with the recommendations of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), future efforts to change the existing statutory spinal screening requirements may occur through the legislative process.
The need to propose rule changes in the future is likely and the department commits to work closely with all stakeholders to inform and solicit input.
Thank you for working with us to ensure the health and well-being of children in Texas.
Be sure to Watch The School Nurse Video ALL the way to the end!
Education Advancement
Have a Blessed Holiday Season!
Texas School Nurses Organization Annual Conference at the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
Friday, Nov 4, 2016, 08:00 AM
111 East Pecan Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
TSNO Executive Committee
ELECTED OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT Francis Luna - Region X
PRESIDENT-ELECT Lisa Sicilio - Region 6
TREASURER Joan Cary - Region X
Secretary Adalia Del Bosque - Region 1
adalia.delbosque@mcallenisd.net
NASN DIRECTOR Laurie Combe - Region 4
NOMINATIONS COORDINATOR Katie Morton - Region X
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
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
APPOINTED COORDINATORS:
REGION PRESIDENTS LIAISON Art Oaxaca - Region 19
EXHIBIT LIAISON Lisa Formby - Region 16
MARKETING COORDINATOR Martha Anderson - Region 14
COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR Regina Wysocki
WEBSITE LIAISON Kara Delay - Region 8
Email: lsicilio.tsno@gmail.com
Website: txsno.org
Location: Richardson, Tex, United States
Phone: (979) 694-5800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Texas.School.Nurses.Organization
Twitter: @TxSchlNurses