School Nursing

The Relentless School Nurse: Sharing Adventures in the Legislative Process

One of the nurse’s caps I wear is the Legislative co-chair of the New Jersey State School Nurses Association (NJSSNA).  This is one of the more challenging roles I have had in my school nursing career. I still feel very new in this role, even though I am entering my second full year. Thankfully I have expert guidance from my dear friend and partner in all things school nursing, Eileen Gavin. 

Who remembers this from Schoolhouse Rock?

We have great news to share! Our State School Nurse Consultant bill had it’s 3rd and final vote in the NJ State Legislature yesterday and it passed. NJ has never had a formal position of State School Nurse Consultant at the Department of Education. In fact, for many years, there has been no school nurse at either the Department of Education or Health. 

It took a pandemic, an amazing State Senator @SenMTeresaRuiz who listened to the concerns of NJSSNA, and the support of the NJ State Senate and Assembly to take action on this much-needed leadership position.

NJ is one signature away from having a State School Nurse Consultant. Governor Phil Murphy, NJ school nurses are counting on you to sign this bill into law and we hope to be at the signing, socially distanced of course!

 

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