The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) recognizes that equity is essential to achieving its mission of optimizing student health and learning. NASN believes that diverse perspectives and inclusive practices are vital to addressing the needs of all communities, fostering innovation, and ensuring that all voices are valued. This commitment has driven its efforts to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into its organizational practices, strategic plan, and culture. Below are the key actions undertaken by NASN, thus far.
Establishment of the DEI Task Force
In 2021, NASN formed a DEI Task Force to create a comprehensive framework that reflects inclusivity and acceptance, while increasing diversity within its leadership and membership. The Task Force emphasized that equity is not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity to better serve school nurses and, ultimately, the students they support.
Key Recommendations
- Assessment and Benchmarking:
- Strategic Framework Development:
- Craft actionable strategies to ensure equity and inclusion in governance, leadership development, and communication.
- Revise foundational documents, including bylaws, to reflect equitable and inclusive language and practices.
- Leadership and Membership Diversity:
- Introduce initiatives to recruit and mentor leaders from historically marginalized groups.
- Address systemic barriers such as financial constraints and time commitments, offering flexible leadership pathways.
- Inclusive Communication and Programs:
- Prioritize diversity in NASN’s educational resources, conferences, and publications.
- Launch targeted programs such as DEI-focused webinars, leadership awards, and scholarships to amplify marginalized voices.
- Affiliate Engagement:
- Provide state-level affiliates with tools, resources, and structured processes to promote DEI in their organizations.
- Facilitate ongoing education to encourage collaboration and the adoption of inclusive practices across all affiliates.
- Ongoing Accountability:
- Establish measurable goals to track DEI progress, including diversifying leadership and membership demographics.
- Commit to transparent annual reporting on DEI advancements to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with organizational values.
Why Equity Matters to NASN
NASN believes equity is crucial to achieving its vision of ensuring that all students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. By addressing inequities within its own organization and fostering an inclusive culture, NASN can better support school nurses as they address health disparities among students. Equity empowers NASN to serve as a model for inclusive practices, ensuring that no voice or perspective is overlooked in its mission to advance the health and well-being of school communities.
Results and Vision
NASN’s DEI Task Force has made progress, but the organization recognizes that equity is a continuous journey. By embedding these values into its culture and practices, NASN aims to create a vibrant, inclusive community where every member feels represented, valued, and empowered to contribute to its mission.