NASN Director Message

June 14, 2016

Greetings from NASN. I am in my fourth and final year as director. I have learned so much from networking with school nurses from all areas of the nation and on the state level. Last June I attended the 47th annual NASN conference in Philadelphia, and also my sixth board meeting. Several new Position Documents were approved as well as work on the NASN strategic Plan.

This past February I attended the NASN Winter Board Meeting in Washington D.C. and had the opportunity to discuss the new 21st Century School Nurse framework. I also had the opportunity to visit with Senator James Risch’s staff, Senator Crapo and staff from Representative Labrador’s office and discuss the NASN Legislative Priorities for 2016.

This year’s priorities are:

1. School Nurse Grant Bill. This bill is being introduced again, it would give grants to local school districts to fund school nurses. These grants would be based on need and would be funded by the Prevention Fund through the Affordable Care Act. It has been introduced but has not yet moved forward.
2. The Children’s Health Care Insurance Program Re-Authorization. CHIP was originally funded in 1997 and the funding was approved throuhg 2017. NASN is encouraging funding be extended through 2019.
3. Timely Mental Health for Foster Youth Act. It would require that states to provide mental health screening to foster youth within 30 days of entry into care. If an initial mental health issue is identified, requires that each state provide a comprehensive assessment in mental health within 60 days.

I continue to serve on the Advocacy and Public Relations Committee and recently had the opportunity to be the lead on updating the position document School Health Education about Human Sexuality. Unfortunately we have put the update on hold to gather more information and resources.

I will be attending the 48th annual conference NASN2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana at the end of June. In the days before the conference I will attend NASN’s Summer Board Meeting where we have a full agenda and will be approving several new Position Documents. Idaho will hold a Rally prior to the Annual NASN Meeting and then after the meeting have an Affiliate Night Out. I also was asked to serve again on the Endowment Fundraising Committee and am a Co-Chair for the NASN Purses for Nurse Endowment fundraiser. The theme this year is Race to get your “Purse-onality” On. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 for the Endowment Fund. Purses for Nurses is one of the fundraising efforts for the NASN Endowment that is put on every year at the annual conference. The NASN Endowment fund advances school nursing practice by supporting research about school nursing and health of school-age children; funding grants that improve school nursing practice and school affiliated delivery of healthcare; and providing scholarships for school nurses seeking graduate degrees and/or certification in advanced nursing practice. This year NASN will have a first annual 5K walk/run.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your director, I have learned so much and have made friends and have been able to associate with some of the greatest school nurses in our state and around the country. I want to thank SNOI for supporting me and allowing me this opportunity. I truly have been blessed and will miss i

Alicia Jordan, BSN, RN, NCSN
NASN Director