National association of school nurses essay examples

According to the mission statement in the “ About NASN” section of their website, the organization’s mission is that it “ advances the specialty practice of school nursing to improve the health and academic success of all students.” On the same page, it specifies its core goal as being to make sure that every child has continuous access to a school nurse on every school day. The page also lists other goals under the heading “ Strategic Plan Goals” which are detailed strategies of the organization, expanding on the Mission Statement.
Members of the NASN share a professional interest (school nursing), plus the organization caters to the needs of special interest groups such as nurses in private and/or parochial schools and nurses working in environments where students have special needs.
Eligibility for membership of the NASN is dependent on the required membership status and on the State (different States have specific certification requirements). Registered Professional Nurses (RPNs) can become “ Active” members and must have valid certification as determined by the State. RPNs not eligible, but who currently work as a School Nurse or are employed by NASN can become “ Associate” members. Students enrolled in a professional nursing program can (with proof of enrollment) become a “ Student” member, for a maximum of five years. There is also a “ Retired” membership category for former “ Active” members, and a “ Member-at-Large” category for LPNs or LVNs (Licensed Practical Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses). Finally, NASN offer a membership category for businesses who wish to support NASN but whose members are ineligible for Active or Associate memberships (“ Membership Categories – National Association of School Nurses”).
Although the NASN is a national organization it has Affiliates in practically every State. It has an annual conference, but Affiliates may choose to meet within their own State. Other than that the NASN encourages online discussions through a Discussion Lists system, as well as the Special Interest Groups mentioned earlier. There is also a range of educational programs.

As far as legislative priorities are concerned, three priorities for 2013 are published on the NASN website:

As far as can be ascertained, the NASN does not have a particular political position.
With regard to professional certification, the NASN – according to their website – collaborates with the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) for “ voluntary professional certification.” (NASN, 2012). Nurses passing the exam are able to call themselves National Certified School Nurses (NCSNs).
NASN publications provide a comprehensive information facility for NASN members. Those include The Journal of School Nursing, published bi-monthly and containing articles of interest to school nurses such as: “ Immunizations and the Power of School Nursing” by Julia Mennuich Cowell, (Aug 2013).
Reviewing the information provided on the NASN website, the organization clearly strives to maintain professional standards of their members, and by the use of the various professional publications, discussion lists, special interest groups and the opportunities for ongoing education, the NASN helps their members develop professionally. In addition, through their campaigns to push for actions by Congress, etc, they are making efforts to maintain a high profile for their members and to obtain better recognition for them.
The NASN President, Carolyn Duff, RN, MS, NCSN currently works as a school nurse in Columbia, South Carolina. Ms Duff has a nursing diploma from Philadelphia, a BSc from West Chester University, Pennsylvania, and an MSc from the University of South Carolina. She has also received a number of academic awards, plus awards for service to her community, etc (“ Our Leaders”, NASN, 2013). She is clearly a fine example of her profession. Although she has risen to lead a national organization for school nurses, she still works as a school nurse herself.
Although the NASN evidently strives to be perceived as an organization for professional nurses, it could perhaps raise that image of professionalism by introducing the possibility for members to be assessed for an advanced qualification in their field. Another strategy could be to introduce randomly-arranged performance assessments of members working as school nurses, to demonstrate the continuing quest for higher standards. Even so, this writer would encourage other nurses to become members of the NASN. It does support recognized certification and provides members with other support in the ways discussed earlier.
Although I am enrolled in a recognized nursing program, I have not yet joined any organization such as the NASN. However, having looked at their organization in some depth in order to write this paper, I believe I shall be applying for NASN Student membership very soon.

References

“ About NASN.” (n. d.). National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Retrieved from http://www. nasn. org/AboutNASN
Cowell, Julia, Mennuich. (Aug 2013). “ Immunizations and the Power of School Nursing.” The Journal of School Nursing August 2013 29: 258-259, doi: 10. 1177/1059840513494578. Retrieved from http://jsn. sagepub. com/content/29/4/258. full. pdf+html
“ Membership Categories – National Association of School Nurses.” (n. d.). National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Retrieved from http://www. nasn. org/portals/0/membership/memclasses. pdf
“ National Certification.” (2012). National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Retrieved from http://www. nasn. org/RoleCareer/SchoolNurseCertification
“ Our Leaders.” (2013). National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Retrieved from http://www. nasn. org/AboutNASN/OurLeaders