Agenda

This session is designed to help school nursing leaders, administrators, school nurses, and policy makers to understand best practices, compliance, documentation, and data‑driven techniques that ensure accurate, maximized Medicaid reimbursement for eligible nursing services in schools.

Learn about building a statewide Asthma-Friendly Schools Recognitions Program through strategic medical/educational partnerships. This session shares the journey from planning through statewide expansion, including adaptation of the American Lung Association framework to address local contexts and Social Drivers of Health. Participants will gain actionable strategies for creating asthma-friendly environments, understand essential implementation steps, and identify critical school-based and community partnerships. Attendees will leave with practical tools, partnership strategies, and a replicable model for advancing health equity and academic success for students with asthma.

School nurses play a critical role in supporting students with disabilities, yet their responsibilities under special education law are often misunderstood. This session provides a practical overview of IDEA and Section 504, including key cases such as Tatro and Cedar Rapids v. Garret F. We will clarify how nursing services fit as related services or accommodations necessary for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), when nurses should participate in IEP/504 planning, and common compliance pitfalls. Attendees will leave with clear strategies to advocate for students' health needs and strengthen legal and ethical practice in schools.

This educational session provides an overview of school-required immunizations, with a particular focus on measles and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Participants will examine school immunization requirements across the United States, review the epidemiology and transmission of measles, explore the role of the MMR vaccine in preventing disease outbreaks and protecting public health and the role of the School Nurse in educating students, families and school staff about communicable diseases and immunizations.

Students with autonomic dysfunction—including Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—face symptoms that lead to frequent absences, academic challenges, and social isolation. Too often, these conditions are invisible or misunderstood, leaving families without adequate support. This session highlights the educational and social impact of absenteeism, challenges stigma, and shares advocacy strategies to improve recognition and accommodations. Attendees will leave empowered with tools to collaborate across healthcare, education, and policy, ensuring that students with chronic illnesses are seen, supported, and allowed to thrive.

This session will teach school nurses a variety of strategies to help support students with anxiety. Children with anxiety frequently present to the health office with symptoms and behaviors that are anxiety-related; however, school nurses may feel unprepared and lack confidence to provide effective care. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that teaches individual skills to manage symptoms of anxiety, including relaxation skills, cognitive restructuring, and facing fears. The use of CBT in the school setting can effectively decrease anxiety symptoms, including when performed by school nurses.

This session explores how simulation-based training enhances school emergency preparedness through nurse-led Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT). Participants will discover how school nurses can apply the INACSL Simulation Standards of Best Practice - including pre-briefing, psychological safety, role clarity, and structured debriefing - to design and lead effective, interprofessional MERT drills. Drawing from a district-university collaboration supported by an HRSA grant, this presentation highlights evidence-based strategies that promote shared leadership, improve team performance, and address social drivers of health to ensure equitable, high-quality emergency response for all students, staff, and school communities.

As front-line healthcare providers, school nurses play a key role in mitigating emerging health concerns. One of these concerns is the prevalence of vaping and e-cigarette use among young people. In this interactive session, UL Research Institutes' Chemical Insights will introduce our evidence-based guidance on the negative health consequences associated with vaping and will discuss what school nurses can do to reduce health risks. We will also share user-friendly educational resources that nurses can use to mitigate the harmful effects of vaping in their schools.

TBD

This presentation, Beyond the Plate: Dual Diagnosis, Social Media, and Individual Health Plans in Eating Disorder Care, explores the complex factors influencing eating disorders in students, including co-occurring mental health conditions and the impact of social media. Through case-based strategies and practical examples, participants will learn how to apply Individualized Health Plans (IHPs) to support students across grade levels, reduce stigma, and strengthen the school nurse's role in fostering safe, supportive learning environments.

This session will take you into the epilepsy journey of Jason Raether, MSN, RN, school nurse of nine years. The session will provide a detailed look at how an individual can turn one of the most life changing and scariest times in his life and transform those experiences into ways to help students and their families through the use of professional and empathetic communication grounded in those experiences. The session will focus on Care Coordination including proving direct care and using proper resources, Leadership by modeling proper self-care, and Community/Public Health and the proper teaching regarding seizures and epilepsy.

This session will inform School Nurses (SN) on the creation and implementation of a comprehensive national evidence-based Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) curriculum for SNs based on NASN’s T1D Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and accompanying Toolkit delivered through online learning.

This session presents an overview and outcomes of a four-part, evidence-based training program for SNs, aimed at supporting nurse-led strategies to address chronic absenteeism while advancing health equity and enhancing optimal student outcomes. Resources will be provided to support SNs as leaders in their school communities when addressing chronic absenteeism.

This session highlights how school nurses can use electronic documentation and electronic health records (EHRs) to enhance the quality, safety, and visibility of student health services. Participants will explore best practices for accurate, efficient documentation that supports communication, care coordination, and data-driven decision-making. Grounded in the NASN School Nursing Practice Framework™ (2024), this session demonstrates how strong documentation practices help address Social Drivers of Health (SDOH), inform quality improvement, and strengthen advocacy for student wellness and academic achievement.

This presentation highlights a school nurse-led initiative to improve preschool vision screening referrals in a suburban Illinois district. By combining evidence-based follow-up protocols with parent education, the project boosts return rates for comprehensive eye exams. Attendees will learn how educating families enhances early detection and addresses barriers like cost, transportation, and access. Personalized follow-up-calls, reminders, and resources-builds trust and collaboration among families, nurses, and community partners. The session details implementation using the Small Steps for Big Vision Toolkit and shares outcome data from health records and state systems, showing how nurses can drive equitable, sustainable vision care for young children.

The National Association of School Nurses (NASN)’s National School Health Data Set: Every Student Counts! (ESC!) is a data initiative designed to create a robust national school health data set that can influence local, state, and national student health policy, identify best practices in school health, and improve understanding of child health. Learn what this national data set is and what the future looks like for Every Student Counts.

This educational session is meant to motivate and inspire current school nurses to be involved with or initiate research studies or quality improvement initiatives in order to examine current issues in school health and make changes for future practice. The presentation will include a step by step guideline of the basics of research in school health including types of studies/projects, variables to consider, and essential elements including but not limited to data identification/collection, legal aspects, ethical considerations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the IRB application process itself.

This session focuses on strengthening communication and behavioral support strategies for school nurses working with neurodivergent students, particularly those with ADHD and Autism. Attendees will learn how to apply evidence-based screening tools, verbal and non-verbal communication methods, and environmental supports to foster emotional regulation and collaboration. Through real-world scenarios and hands-on discussion, participants will develop confidence in navigating challenging interactions, reducing escalation, and promoting inclusive care practices that benefit both students and the broader school community.