Presidents Messages

Posted in the Spring of 2025.

Hello, New York School Nurses.

May 7, 2025 is National School Nurses Day this year. I wanted to give you some background about National School Nurse Day to start with.

On July 4, 1968, the National Education Association established the Department of School Nurses (DSN), an association dedicated to the advancement of school nursing practice and the health of school-age children. Over the next few years, each state established its own school nurses’ association under the umbrella of the Department of School Nurses. In 1974, President Ford proclaimed the fourth Wednesday in January as National School Nurse Day. School nurses are now nationally recognized and celebrated for contributing to the health and well-being of the nation's students. National School Nurse Day is on the Wednesday of National Nurses Week which honors all school nurses who care for the children in the schools every day. School nurses promote learning through healthy children.

School Nurses are often the first place a student thinks to go when they don't feel well or have been hurt. But they also provide a wealth of information that supports a successful education as well. The observance reminds us of all the reasons the nurse is available to your school. They provide more than bandaids for scrapes on the playground and check for fevers when a child shows the first sign of illness. School Nurses are first responders for medical concerns and administer mid-day doses of medication.

School Nurses advocate for students, too. In a school setting, school nurses make referrals for pediatric care when necessary. As a team member, school nurses play a vital role in guiding students to healthy lifestyles. Students are the future leaders of our state, and parents or guardians deserve to feel confident that their children will be cared for at school; and, all students have a right to have their physical and mental health needs met while at school; and, students today may face complex and life-threatening health problems that require care in school; and, school nurses have played a critical role in improving public health and ensuring student success for over 100 years; and, school nurses are aware of the home and community factors that impact students’ health; and, school nurses act as a bridge between the school, families, and health care providers on behalf of children’s health by promoting wellness and improving health outcomes; and, school nurses support the health and educational success of children by providing accessible care when children’s cognitive development is at its peak; and, school nurses are members of the school health teams, which include school health services, MTSS/504/IEP plans, mental health support services, and disaster or emergency planning, to address the school population; and, school nurses understand the link between health and learning, making a positive difference for children every day; and, by recognizing school nurses and their important contributions to our school communities, there is greater hope that more people consider a career in school nursing to help address the shortage of these caring and compassionate individuals working in New York State schools.

On this day, NYSASN recognizes School Nurses across New York State and their efforts to meet the needs of today’s students by improving the delivery of healthcare in our schools, contributing to communities by helping students stay healthy, and ensuring parents and guardians can know their children are safe and cared for.

All the roles of a school nurse lead to healthier students who are better prepared for learning. Finally, I want to thank you for taking care of our NYS students. I thank you for all you do while “Caring for New York’s Future”. As Florence Nightingale once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses … we must be learning all of our lives. “Together we are stronger!

Sincerely,

Jill Kenney RN

President NYSASN

Dear School Nurses, NYSASN Members and Board of Directors,

On behalf of the New York States Association of School Nurses, I would like to thank everyone that attended the NYSASN Annual Conference at Albany Hilton in Albany NY. The Conference Committee had worked very hard to bring you an outstanding educational offering. I know many of you were pleased at the knowledge you gained as well as the networking opportunities you had. NYSASN offers excellent education conferences and represents school nurses at the state level. Our conferences offer more than educational opportunities. It’s a time to have fun and unite with our school nurse colleagues. It was great meeting many of you at the Conference.

Your attendance indicated your desire to remain current, vital and involved. It is a tribute to wanting to utilize “best practice” knowledge and procedures each day. I know that everyone that attended had personally and financially sacrificed time to be at the conference. The NYSASN board of directors thanks each of you for attending.

As you know, membership in your professional organization is considered a standard of excellence in your school nurse practice and shows your commitment to our profession. We applaud you for this commitment! NYSASN is the only professional organization in the state that solely represents school nurses. If you are not already a member, I urge you to consider joining. Your membership provides access to numerous resources, and keeps you informed of the latest issues affecting school nurses from Albany and throughout the country. If you already are a member, I want to thank you for your continued support of NYSASN’s Mission.

We are now busy working on School Nurse Orientation (SNO) for August 4, 2025 until August 6, 2025 in Skaneateles Falls, NY. If you are a New School Nurse School Nurse, it's a perfect Program for you. SNO Conference will provide a comprehensive overview of school nursing. It will provide a new school nurse a review of New York State Education Laws and the guidelines governing school nurse practice.

Finally, I want to thank you for taking care of our NYS students. I hope that your participation today increases your professional success and we thank you for all you do while “Caring for New York’s Future.” As Florence Nightingale once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses … we must be learning all of our lives." Together we are stronger!

Sincerely,

Jill Kenney RN
President NYSASN

Greetings School Nurses, NYSASN Members and Board of Directors,

I’m proud to becoming the President of the only professional organization in the state that solely represents school nurses. NYSASN offers excellent education conferences and represent school nurses at the state level. Our conferences offer more than educational opportunities. It’s a time to have fun and unite with our school nurse colleagues.

My very first encounter with NYSASN was the year 2000 at School Nurse Orientation in Lake Placid. Even though I was an experienced RN, for over 20 years, I knew that I had much to learn about school nursing. I sat in awe, listening and learning from these wonderful, kind, and highly skilled school nurses and knew that “I wanted to be like them and have my Health Office run like theirs.”

It takes many committed individuals to run an effective, well-run organization. Since 1986, NYSASN’s Board of Directors has tirelessly worked to provide exceptional education programs and support to school nurses who have varying degrees of experience and knowledge. Being at the helm of a volunteer organization, such as NYSASN, is a challenging and compelling, yet rewarding, position. I’m the spokesperson and the “Go To” person when issues and questions arise. With your support I hope to meet these challenges.

We continue to work towards the “School Nurse in every school” mandate, forever hopeful our state legislators and school officials will see the value we bring to our school communities. We have combined forces with NYSUT and the Collective Care Team in supporting bills to get this accomplished.

We need to reinforce to New York’s School Nurses that we are the liaison between home, school and community resources. I will help guide the various members throughout the state in Our Mission. Which is: To advance the practice of school nursing and enhance the educational success of students by promoting quality health services.

We have survived a Pandemic and now we are considered experts in public health and communicable disease. We have been invited to participate as policy makers for school health practice. We have, as always, risen to the occasion and emerged as champions of the children of New York State.

NYSASN past leaders and their commonsense approaches, perseverance and hard work paved the way for NYSASN’s viability. We continue to stand behind the foundation they built in 1986 by main training and building upon the professionalism and values they developed.

As Florence Nightingale once said, “Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses … we must be learning all of our lives." Together we are stronger!

Sincerely, 

Jill Kenney
President