On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, we celebrate National School Nurse Day, a time to honor the more than 74,000 school nurses who make a difference in the lives of children every day. This year’s theme, Advocacy, Access, Achievement: Leading the Way, captures school nurses’ significant role in improving students’ health and academic outcomes. As school nurses, we lead the way by ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for our nation’s children.
NASN celebrates all school nurses for positively influencing the health and well-being of students nationally and globally through the many roles you fulfill. Indeed, school nurses care for students and communities, serving a critical role in promoting students’ academic success for more than 110 years.
All across the nation, school nurses are advocating for children’s health by representing the specialty practice at local, state and national levels – even at the White House!
As school nurses, we are in a unique position to promote prevention and wellness, providing access to care for our children to stay healthy, safe and ready to learn. Research shows that early access to care and prevention strategies is vital, which is why school nurses promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention for students during their early and most vulnerable years – and lasting through high school. School nurses are an invaluable bridge that connects health care providers, public health and families. Working with 98 percent of school-aged children in the United States, we are the daily eyes and ears of health care providers and public health, and serve our nation’s most vulnerable children by addressing their health risks and helping parents navigate our complex health system.
NASN is proud to acknowledge the increasing recognition given to school nursing as a pivotal access point for student health. The media continues to highlight the role and achievements of school nurses. Improving overall health outcomes leads to positive learning outcomes. A top priority of this nation should be ensuring that our children have a healthy and successful future, equipping them to become productive citizens in society. School nurses are transforming communities by making this vision a reality every day.
As the voice for children’s health, school nurses help shape the future – thank you for all you do!
Linda Davis-Alldritt, MA, BSN, RN, FNASN, FASHA
President
National Association of School Nurses
National School Nurse Day Background: Since 1972, National School Nurse Day has been set aside to recognize school nurses.
Purpose: National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.
Date: National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurse Week and National Nurse Week is always May 6th through May 12th.