The 2010-2011 school year is rapidly moving forward and I am hopeful your school year is off to a great start! Delaware school nurses are the cornerstone of their community schools wearing the various hats of nurse, counselor, social worker, mentor, and numerous other roles. Some days it is difficult to know which direction to move first. And often times, the plan you left your home with in the morning, is not the plan you are greeted with when you open your office door! I applaud each and every school nurse for their strong will, brave souls, quick thinking and crisis resolution skills they possess. For without these, you wouldn’t be a school nurse!
Without our school nurses Delaware students would not be successful. The nurse is a pivotal piece of the puzzle in the team‚ effort to see the student reach their academic success. Fall is the time when health records are reviewed, screenings are begun, , and collaboration with teachers to inform them of any pertinent health information that may impact the student‚Äôs academic success, calls to parents to inquire about new enterers, and the list goes on.
As fall begins a new year in our work world, this falls brings a new DSNA Executive Board to meet the needs of our association. This team will hopefully engage your interest to participate in an active association, meeting the needs of school nurses as individuals and nurses as a whole. We invite your input and look forward to your involvement in the continual movement to improve the professional level of our association.
I have a few goals that I would like to accomplish over the next two years and ask for your help to move our association on its forward path.
- Maintain the partnerships already established
- Focus on mental health partnerships and increase a mental health resource base for school nurses
- Strengthening the association through reorganization of DSNA’s policies and procedures
- Expand our voice by improving communication with our membership,legislators, and the community
If you are not a member of DSNA please consider becoming one.There are numerous advantages of being an affiliate of NASN and for this school year as a DSNA/NASN member we have been given discount medication cards to be distributed to students and families who may be underinsured or without insurance to cover medication costs. Please consider becoming a member as a united voice speaks loudly when important issues arise.
With your support, I know our Executive Board will do great things. I look forward to working with you over these next two years. Have a great school year!
Beth Light