New Hampshire School Nurses' Association

NHSNA NEWS

September, 2015

NHSNA President's Letter:

A Fresh Start

Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year!

I hope that you were able to enjoy the beautiful summer spending time with family and friends, relaxing and refreshing. As I reflect on my 23 years working in school health, I realize how fortunate school nurses are to have a fresh start with the beginning of each new school year. I feel energized and ready to implement new ideas and projects.

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity of attending the 47th Annual NASN Conference, held this year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was proud to represent NHSNA as your president. It was an energizing time networking with colleagues, listening to stories and learning from experts in our field. When I presented our delegates at the annual meeting I said: "We are from the granite state of New Hampshire, and we are the rock solid foundation of our schools."

We truly are the foundation of our schools. We are leaders in our schools. We are members of both the health and education teams. We are professional nurses providing skilled nursing care. We are promoting and modeling health and wellness for the students and staff in our schools. We must no longer remain silent working in a hidden health care system ~ the school health program. We must become visible and be recognized for our contributions.

Your NHSNA Board of Directors continue to work on many initiatives supporting you in your practice as the School Nurse. Several meetings have been held with Dr. Virginia Barry, NH Commissioner of Education, and key stakeholders to develop a campaign to promote the contributions School Nurses make every day to the education of our school children.

Recently, NHSNA has formed a study committee to formulate our own position statement regarding the use of Naloxone in the school setting. Updates to all legislative efforts are included in this September Newsletter.

We are pleased to announce that Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN, 2015-2017 President of NASN will be joining us as our speaker at our Fall Meeting being held on October 23rd. You will enjoy hearing her inspiring words. Plan to join us for this special dinner meeting. More information may be found on our website www.nhschoolnurses.org

In closing, I want to thank you for all that you do each and every day for the children and adolescents within our NH schools. Remember, you must first care for yourself in order to care for others. Take time each day to refresh, recharge and restart.

Have a wonderful year! Come join us when you can!!

Harriet Davenort, RN, BS

President, New Hampshire School Nurses' Association

Day One: October 17th, 2015
Day Two: November 14, 2015
Day Three: March 12, 2016

Celebrate your specialty! Whether you are a new school nurse, or a seasoned veteran, this 3-Day series refreshes your skills and re-invigorates your passion for what you do. Network with other NH school nurses from around the state. Members receive a $25 discount off the conference fee. Continental breakfast and Lunch included. For more information and to register: www.nhschoolnurses.org
Questions? Contact us at: NHSNA@comcast.net

NHSNA Work is Never Done!

Board members gathered at Harriet Davenports home for their summer meeting in July.

Clockwise from top:
Harriet Davenport, Kathy Barth, Nancy Wells, Linda Compton, Paula MacKinnon and Martha Judson.

NHSNA is currently 167 Strong! Have you renewed your membership yet? Members receive discounts on all NHSNA sponsored workshops and have access to the Members Only page: A page full of resources submitted by your fellow school nurses. JOIN OR RENEW TODAY at www.nhschoolnurses.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

"This is an exciting and challenging time for School Nurses and the Legislative Process. My hope is that we can work in collaboration with other agencies and Legislators and Representatives to educate them about the role of the School Nurse and School Nursing Practice." ------ NHSNA Board Liaison Martha Judson RN, MS

Senate Bill 25 FN-Relative to Epinephrine –

HISTORY: This bill was introduced last spring by Senator D’Alessandro of the Education Committee and was referred to committee. This bill allows schools to acquire and maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors with the intent of making them available to ANY student showing symptoms of anaphylaxis, and for the school nurse to train designated school personnel to receive training in the administration of an epinephrine auto-injector to any student with symptoms of anaphylaxis. FULL BILL and more information.

CURRENT STATUS: The NHSNA reviewed the original bill and found that some of the contents of the bill were contrary to our scope of practice as defined by the Board of Nursing rules and regulations and Department of Education rules. We have communicated our concerns to the appropriate committee liaisons so that the process can move forward in a collaborative manner. We have also consulted with the Board of Nursing to rewrite sections that pertain to School Nursing Practice. Thanks to Kathy Barth and Ellen Lensek who worked so diligently to rewrite this so that it reflects best School Nursing Practice.

NEXT STEPS: Martha Judson has been in touch with Senator D’Allesandro’s office this past week and will be attending an executive session hearing Tuesday, Sept 22nd. At 10 AM She has given all of our suggested changes to Senator D’Allesandro.

Bronchodilator/spacer/nebulizer Legislative proposal

HISTORY: The NH Partners for Healthy Schools Initiative has asked NHSNA to assist with the development of a bill to allow schools to have bronchodilators/spacers/nebulizers available for students who have been diagnosed with asthma and are approved to self-carry but whose medication is not available. Other collaborating agencies include Marie Mulroy from the NH Public Health Association, American Lung Association of New England; Heidi Pelchat from the NH Asthma Control Program and Astrid Wielens, Executive Director of Zebra Crossings.

CURRENT STATUS: Martha Judson has written a first draft which has been reviewed by NHSNA’s Executive Board, and the other collaborating agencies. Senator Jeff Woodburn (senate district one) has agreed to sponsor the bill.

NEXT STEPS: Martha Judson (NHSNA Liaison) will be meeting with the Senator and other collaborators next week to move this forward. Testimony from parents and students and school nurses about the importance of this legislation is needed. Letters can be sent to Martha at mbjudson@aol.com or mailed to: Martha Judson, 53 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833. If identifying information needs to be removed from a letter please let her know this.

SB 71 Glucagon injections for children in schools

HISTORY: Sponsor: Senator Styles District 4 This bill passed without input from NHSNA. This bill allows parents to train and delegate school staff on glucagon administration.

CURRENT STATUS: Effective Date: July 4, 2015

NEXT STEPS: NHSNA would like to see amendments to include school nurse involvement. NHSNA feels that current care plans for diabetic students cover this issue. Linda states that UNH students are working on a training program for unlicensed assistive personnel. The board will contact Senator Styles to see what the status is.

A Gentle Action: The Wave of Change

Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN
2015 -- 2017 NASN President to speak at NHSNA Fall Dinner Meeting. This evening will inspire you to return to your schools re-energized and ready to advocate for your role. The New Hampshire School Nurse Association is launching a "School Nursing Campaign" to educate the school community and the general public of the valuable contribution School Nurses make to their schools.

Join your school nurse colleagues for a night of good food, networking, good conversation and inspiration. Register Online at www.nhschoolnurses.org Dinner and Registration Fee:

$50 NHSNA members;

$60 Non-Members

Contact Hours: 1.25 contact hours

Disclaimer: The New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association’s mission and vision is to provide leadership and education to support New Hampshire school nurse standards of practice, care coordination, leadership, quality improvement, and community public health. The information and services included in or available through the New Hampshire School Nurses' Association website, including information provided by third parties is offered for educational purposes only, and may include inaccuracies and/or typographical errors. Advice received via the New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association website should not be relied upon for personal, professional, medical, legal or financial decisions and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your situation.

If you are seeking a definitive statement of the laws, regulations or policies governing school nurses, their employment, scope of practice, or contract, you should consult the appropriate governmental agency, employer, or collective bargaining unit. The New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association makes no representations about the sustainability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, services, and related graphics contained on the New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association website for any purpose.