Relentless School Nurse

APRIL 16, 2025

Here is a research opportunity from Abrar Sharfi, a 4th-year nursing student at the University of Virginia, who is conducting a study (IRB-SBS 7201) to assess school nurses awareness, knowledge, and confidence regarding Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). This study is evaluating baseline knowledge, providing educational resources, and measuring changes in awareness and confidence after an educational intervention.

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Schooling Education Education Assessment 160

Relentless School Nurse

APRIL 15, 2025

School Nurses: The Relentless Lifelines in Our Schools School nurses are the lifelines for students and families navigating the complexities of acute and chronic illness while pursuing an education. We are often the first responders when a student experiences a mental health crisis and the advocates pushing for resources that ensure equitable access to healthcare for every child.

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Schooling Coordination Academics Health 111

Relentless School Nurse

APRIL 11, 2025

The SAVE Act: A Dangerous Deception Undermining American Democracy The so-called Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Marketed as a measure to protect election integrity, it is, in truth, an attack on our democracydesigned not to fix a real problem, but to create one. While its supporters claim it will prevent noncitizens from votinga virtually nonexistent issuethis legislation is a ruthless attempt to silence millions of eligible American voters.

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Schooling Health Education Education 157

Relentless School Nurse

APRIL 3, 2025

Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills, my friends, “The OpEd Nurses,” are passionate advocates for public health. Drawing on decades of nursing experience, they use thought-provoking opinion pieces to tackle pressing healthcare issues. In their latest Op-Ed in the Portland Tribune , they expose the devastating consequences of proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

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Health Schooling Wellness 111

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 26, 2025

As we navigate the complex landscape of public health and education in 2025, it’s crucial to highlight voices that advocate for the well-being of our communities. Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills, my friends also known as the “Op-Ed Nurses,” are seasoned healthcare professionals and leaders in Nurses for America. They have been using their voices to raise awareness about serious public health risks, including the dangers of vaccine misinformation and misguided health policies.

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Government Schooling Health Education 186

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 16, 2025

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s vaccine research, conducted in fall 2024, provides valuable insights into effective vaccine communication strategies for schools. However, the recent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025 has significantly altered the landscape of vaccine policy and public health messaging in the United States.

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Schooling Health Education Education 111

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 12, 2025

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Beyond the Bandaids , the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) new podcast that delves into the evolving challenges, triumphs, and advocacy efforts shaping the field of school nursing. Hosted by NASN CEO Terri Hinkley, EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE, this monthly podcast is dedicated to empowering school nurses with expert insights, real-world stories, and actionable strategies to enhance student health and well-being.

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Schooling Government Health Wellness 111

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 12, 2025

Im pleased to announce my contribution to the “Ask a School Nurse” feature on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website! This initiative provides a valuable platform for school nurses to share their expertise and offer practical, evidence-based advice to help schools, families, and communities protect children from infectious diseases.

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Schooling Health Teacher Wellness 111

Relentless School Nurse

MARCH 7, 2025

Sharing an important letter (linked here), signed by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) along with 64 organizations and allies of the Medicaid in Schools Coalition. It was submitted to Congress on February 17, 2025, as an urgent appeal to our lawmakers to protect Medicaid from the proposed cuts. Medicaid plays a vital role in supporting the health and educational success of vulnerable children, particularly those with disabilities and those living in poverty.

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Schooling Academics High School Health 180

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 27, 2025

CHC: Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) is inviting school nurses to collaborate with them on an important initiative a storytelling series that they hope will inspire action to protect and strengthen Medicaid at this critical time. CHC is deeply concerned about proposed Medicaid cuts that could jeopardize the health of millions of Americans, especially children.

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Schooling Health Academics Conditioning 111

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 22, 2025

Click to view slideshow. Jill Yacu’s transition into a content creator role at MacGill School Nurse Supplies was driven by her extensive experience as a school nurse and her desire to make a broader impact on our profession. Jill found herself at a crossroads during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the critical yet under-resourced role of school nurses.

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Schooling Creativity Flexibility Health 144

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 18, 2025

Mrs. Palo School nurse Mandy Palo, known on TikTok as Mrs. Palo , has carved out a unique niche for herself in the digital world, blending her professional expertise with the vibrant, engaging format of social media. Her venture into social media began with an Instagram account to share school nursing tips, but it was TikTok that truly captured her attention.

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Middle School Schooling Education Education 189

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 9, 2025

Click to view slideshow. Nurses for America (NFA) believe that nurses deserve an approach that honors their values and centers their voices. Advocacy must reflect the compassion, integrity, and courage that define our professionnot compromise them. Rather than being silent to appear neutral, we believe in boldly standing for what matters most to nurses: equitable access to care, safe workplaces, a healthy environment, and a commitment to justice.

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Conditioning Schooling Health Education 246

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 8, 2025

As healthcare professionals, we face a critical juncture in addressing firearm injuries and fatalities. The “This Is Our Lane” initiative is urgently seeking your input to strengthen efforts in gun violence prevention. This Is Our Lane was created with this purpose in minda resource and advocacy initiative aimed at equipping healthcare providers to address gun violence prevention as a public health issue.

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Schooling Health 160

Relentless School Nurse

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

“Caring in Crisis,” an insightful essay on the current state of school nursing was written by Jill Yacu. Jill is a registered nurse and content creator for MacGill School Nurse Supplies. She is a regular contributor to The Pulse, MacGill’s weekly newsletter for school nurses. Jill’s essay explores the paradoxical nature of school nursing today.

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Schooling Health Wellness 146

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 31, 2025

In the shadows of America’s immigration enforcement policies, a silent crisis is unfolding, affecting the most vulnerable members of our society – children. The devastating impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on our students’ physical and mental health is happening in real-time. An article from Visa Verge sheds light on this pressing issue, revealing the deep, lasting scars left on children caught in the crossfire of immigration enforcement actions.

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Schooling Academics Psychology Flexibility 192

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 25, 2025

I’m honored to share a recently published article in JAMA Health Forum, “ Role of School Nurses in the Health and Education of Children, “ co-authored with my esteemed colleagues Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MPH, RN, and Elizabeth Dickson, PhD, RN. Published on January 23, 2025, our open-access article explores the critical role of school nurses in promoting student health and academic success.

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Schooling Health Education Education 199

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 20, 2025

I was struggling this morning friends, feeling so depleted and concerned about what is about to happen today, January 20, 2025, as the new administration takes hold with unparalleled power. The painful irony of this Inauguration Day coinciding with MLK Day 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial and social justice. The landscape of education and community support is changing rapidly, and my school district, along with many others, finds itself at a critical intersectio

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Schooling Strength Achievement Education 203

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 15, 2025

Calling all dedicated school nurses committed to serving historically marginalized communities! The National Board of Certification for School Nurses (NBCSN) has an incredible opportunity that could transform your professional journey in 2025. The NBCSN 2025 Scholarship Program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to support diverse school nursing professionals or those who serve marginalized school communities and are committed to excellence and representation in healthcare education.

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Schooling Health Education Education 188

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 14, 2025

The latest Gallup poll on public trust and ethical perceptions of U.S. professions reveals both stability and shifting attitudes. Nurses once again lead as the most trusted profession, with 76% of Americans rating their honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high.” This marks the 23rd consecutive year they have held the top spot, underscoring enduring public confidence in their integrity and dedication to patient care.

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Schooling Endurance Teacher Health 203

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 8, 2025

By Donna A. Gaffney and Teri Mills Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills, known as “The OpEd Nurses,” have penned a powerful and timely piece published in Newsweek titled “When Did We Stop Being Afraid of Polio?” These veteran nurse leaders draw on their extensive healthcare experience to address critical public health concerns. In their latest opinion piece, Gaffney and Mills remind us of the devastating impact of polio in the mid-20th century and warn against complacency in th

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Schooling Health 203

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 8, 2025

Today, we are faced with a profound choice: do we continue with the status quo, marked by pain, disconnection, and division? Or do we choose a different pathone of joy, health, and fulfillment, where we turn toward each other instead of away from each other; where we choose love over fear; where we recognize community as the irreplaceable foundation for our well-being?

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Schooling Health Wellness Health Education 203

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 6, 2025

Have you read perspective pieces from Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills, the dynamic nursing duo, I call “The OpEd Nurses.” They have earned this title through their impactful opinion writing, where they consistently challenge healthcare policies that threaten public health. As leaders in Nurses for America, Gaffney and Mills translate complex health issues into accessible, evidence-based arguments, advocating for patient rights and informed healthcare practices.

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Schooling Health 201

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 4, 2025

Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, after tobacco and obesity. – U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, MD A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a powerful and authoritative public health communication tool designed to address urgent health issues facing the American people. These statements serve multiple crucial purposes: they raise immediate awareness about critical public health challenges, provide actionable recommendations for i

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Schooling Obesity Assessment Health 200

Relentless School Nurse

JANUARY 2, 2025

The inspiration for integrating music into school health offices came to life during a conversation with Eileen Gavin, President of the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. Eileen shared her innovative approach of playing Disney tunes in her health office, transforming what is often a stressful environment into a joyful and comforting space that students genuinely appreciate.

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Schooling Health Health Education Wellness 202

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Embracing Support Over Resilience in School Nursing I dream of never being called resilient again. Im exhausted by strength. I want ease. I want support. I want softness. I dont want to be patted on the back for how well I take a hit. Or for how many. – Zandashe L’Orelia Brown This powerful quote captures the weariness of those who have spent too long shouldering burdens without reprieve, and it resonates deeply with the role of a school nurse.

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Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 27, 2024

As we wrap up 2024, Im grateful and amazed at how far we’ve come together through The Relentless School Nurse blog. We are approaching 500,000 visitors since the journey began in July 2017. These numbers represent countless conversations, shared experiences, and moments of connection that have brought us closer as a community. This success isn’t mine alone it is a collective effort, thanks to you, an incredible community of readers and contributors.

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Schooling Health Wellness Education 214

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 21, 2024

“The Senate finally corrects a 50-year mistake,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer It happened, the Social Security Fairness Act was finally passed in a nail-biting, 11th-hour vote in the Senate late last night! It is a huge win for millions of public service workersand its especially meaningful for school nurses who have been fighting for this change for fifty years.

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Schooling Achievement Education Education 203

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 19, 2024

From this point on, I will refer to the successful writing team of Donna Gaffney and Teri Mills as the “Op-Ed Nurses.” They are making waves across the country successfully publishing a slew of Op-Eds highlighting the dangerous nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). As dedicated members of Nurses for America , Gaffney and Mills have been using their voices to raise awareness about the serious public health risks associated with this poten

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Schooling Health 189

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The arguments against routine vaccination are escalating. Just last week, a prominent lawyer associated with the RFK Jr. transition team publicly questioned the safety of the polio vaccine. Simultaneously, the long-debunked myth linking the measles vaccine to autism is resurging online due to high-profile interviews with known conspiracy theorists and leaders in the anti-vax movement.

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Schooling Endurance Health Education 226

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 14, 2024

I can’t believe we have to say this out loud in 2024, but here we go: Vaccines do NOT cause autism. Period. Full stop. This fact has been proven time and time again by rigorous scientific studies. Yet here we are, still fighting this battle against dangerous misinformation that threatens public health. So let’s talk about why we are entering an era of chaos and confusion impacting public health and what we can do about it.

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Schooling Health Movement Teaching 213

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 8, 2024

Are you a school nurse with a story to tell? Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics has extended the deadline for school nurses to share personal experiences navigating the ethical dilemmas that arise in our vital role. Our insights can illuminate our unique challenges and impact on student health and well-being. Our practice is unique, often misunderstood, and minimized.

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Schooling Health Education Health Education 222

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 6, 2024

ARS Pharmaceuticals is set to launch the neffyinSchools Program in January 2025 , providing eligible K-12 schools in the U.S. with two free cartons (four single-use doses) of neffy 2mg epinephrine nasal spray for emergency use. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for anaphylaxis treatment in schools, where many children with food allergies have experienced accidental exposure.

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Schooling 199

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 5, 2024

The Power of Numbers: Why 143 Matters The number 143 represents a simple yet profound message of love, first popularized by Fred Rogers, the beloved host of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. For Fred Rogers, 143 symbolized “I love you”—one letter in “I,” four in “love,” and three in “you.” Mr. Rogers even maintained a consistent weight of 143 pounds for decades, viewing it as a symbol of love, stability, and care, values that resonate deeply with our work in schools.

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Schooling Wellness Health Education 223

Relentless School Nurse

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Healing Politics , a non-partisan, non-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering nurses and midwives to engage in civic leadership and run for elected office. Their flagship program, the Healing Politics Campaign School for Nurses & Midwives , will take place from July 24th – 27th, 2025 at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy in Durham, NC.

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Schooling Exercise Health 256

Relentless School Nurse

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

Finally, some positive news in emergency preparedness for schools: Maryland’s new active shooter drill guidelines , set to take effect in the 2025 school year, mark a significant shift towards prioritizing student mental health while maintaining effective emergency readiness. As a school nurse who has long advocated for such changes, I’m heartened to see this growing recognition of the emotional toll that traditional emergency drills can impose on our students.

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Schooling Psychology Flexibility Assessment 214

Relentless School Nurse

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

The ask comes from Judy Doran , the 2023 Maine School Nurse of the Year, who is advocating for the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions significantly impact the Social Security benefits of public employees in 15 states. For many public servants, including nurses, educators, firefighters, and police officers, Social Security can actually become a source of financial insecurity in retirement.

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Government Schooling Education Education 188