Bridging the Divide: School Nurses, Secure Firearm Storage, and Preventing Family Fire
Description
Gun violence has been declared a public health crisis in the United States, affecting families, schools, and communities in immediate and lingering ways. School nurses are often thrust onto the front lines during crises and in their aftermath, yet their expertise and advocacy roles are too frequently overlooked in broader conversations about prevention and safety. This session responds to the urgent need for evidence-based solutions, starting with secure firearm storage at home—a proven preventive intervention.Session participants will engage with a multidisciplinary panel that includes school nurses, a youth advocate, parents, and mental health professionals, each sharing firsthand experiences and exploring key intersections of policy, public health, and lived experience. Through real-world examples and effective messaging strategies, panelists will address how school nurses can overcome barriers to discussing secure storage, build confidence in community outreach, and access the latest resources for firearm injury prevention.The session provides an up-to-date analysis of trends in both school and community firearm violence, critically assesses the effectiveness and unintended consequences of intensified physical security measures in schools, and centers on the holistic safety needs of students, staff, and families. Attendees will take part in interactive learning activities, including mapping the direct and indirect costs of gun violence and engaging in live polling via QR codes, designed to prompt immediate reflection, collaboration, and problem-solving. These experiences are tailored to adult learners, encouraging participants to share insights and propose solutions appropriate to their unique communities.Participants will learn practical strategies to share with their school districts, including advocacy tools and outreach initiatives, elevating the voice and leadership of school nurses while advancing interdisciplinary approaches. This session aims to shift the narrative from fear and isolation to proactive prevention, collective responsibility, and community belonging, fostering safer and supportive schools for everyone.