An Important Update

Dear Relentless Readers,

As many of you may have already learned, our beloved Relentless School Nurse, Robin Cogan, unexpectedly passed away on June 11th, 2026, at the age of 65. Today is her birthday, and as a family we are still grappling with our new reality. We are cooking one of her favorite meals, baking one of her favorite cakes, and spending time together reminiscing on our favorite memories of our Relentless Robin. 

Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support we have received since this journey started. We always knew that Robin was special, that she had a way with people, and that she loved her network, but we had no idea just how far her reach spread. We have heard from people across the country and around the world, and we are forever grateful to learn about how she made an impact in their lives. 

To say we are devastated is a gross understatement, but we’re endlessly proud of the legacy that she leaves behind. That being said, we are making plans to have guest bloggers continue the mission of The Relentless School Nurse, starting with the post below from one of Robin’s best friends, Eileen Gavin.

– Allie Cogan, Robin’s daughter

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The Relentless School Nurse, Remains Relentless 

Today I made my way to the NASN Conference without my friend, Robin. Even though I feel her spirit and guidance with me every day, making the decision to come to NASN Las Vegas without Robin was incredibly difficult. For the past 10 years, I have had the privilege of being Robin’s conference roommate. Our friendship blossomed through our shared love of school nursing and our connection as alumni of the Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Program.

I say our friendship blossomed because I was truly blessed to have Robin in my life. It became the kind of friendship that is rare, a best friend, confidant, and cherished advisor all wrapped into one. It felt like stepping back into my younger years and finding that first best friend from middle school. She was the person who brought laughter, comfort, and joy. I was fortunate enough to find that friendship again in midlife, and Robin brought that same youthful joy and excitement into my life.

Many of you know that before Robin was a school nurse, she was a camp nurse. The annual NASN Conference became our own school nurse camp. A place where we built friendships, gained new knowledge, recharged our spirits, and yes, did plenty of silly “camp-like” things. From pajama parties to celebrating Robin’s birthday each year, we created memories that reminded us how special this profession and this community truly are.

NASN was our time to renew and reset. We returned home energized, inspired, and ready to bring new ideas, passion, and advocacy back to our school communities and to New Jersey.

With Robin’s passing, the school nurse community grieved the loss of a passionate advocate, leader, and relentless voice for children. I grieved the loss of my dear friend and colleague.

I was blessed to spend time with Robin, and her husband Ed, before she passed. Even during such an incredibly difficult time, Robin’s selfless spirit continued to shine. She apologized for the pain her illness caused and for the ways her journey impacted the lives of those who loved her. That was Robin,  always thinking of others, even when she was the one facing the unimaginable.

Robin shared with me that she wanted her blog to continue as a platform for advocacy. She asked that I write the first blog in her honor. This is no small request. To step into the space of someone who was a gifted writer, a magician with words and language, and a voice that inspired thousands is both humbling and intimidating. But I am honoring my friend’s request by allowing myself to be vulnerable and share this piece of my heart.

Like many of you, I am grieving Robin. And I can still hear her voice reminding me, as she has many times before: “Write it down. Journal your grief and sadness.” This grief is deeply personal. But today, I share it with you because friendship, love, and connection are also meant to be shared.

As I was leaving my house today, I realized I had forgotten something and went back inside. There, I found a small but powerful reminder from Robin, my emotional support “Dumpster on Fire,” a gift she gave me.

Her message was loud and clear. We cannot continue to be the emotional dumpster on fire saying, “It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is fine”because we are not always fine.  Our school nurse community is not fine! We are grieving. 

We need to acknowledge our grief. We need to process it. We need to allow ourselves to feel the sadness while still finding moments of joy and connection.  Understanding this may not be a straightforward process.  As Ted Rynearson reminds us, “There are really only two stages of grief: who you were before and who you are after.”

Image from https://speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief/understanding-grief/no-step-by-step-process  

For those who are at the NASN Conference this year, whether you are walking a straight path through grief or a winding, complicated one, please make those connections. Reach out. Introduce yourself to a first-time attendee or reconnect with a longtime colleague. You never know when a simple conversation will become a lifelong friendship. I found that gift with Robin.

So enjoy this conference. Learn. Laugh. Celebrate school nursing. Embrace the incredible community around you.

And maybe… bring back a little school nurse camp spirit. Maybe even have a pajama party.

Continuing Robin’s Legacy of Advocacy

With the permission and encouragement of Robin and her family, I am honored to be guest blogging today. Many people have reached out asking how they can help after hearing the heartbreaking news about our beloved Relentless School Nurse. Robin’s blog is a testament to her commitment to daily writing, advocacy, and making a difference.

Her final blog post was dated May 29, 2026,  just two days before I received the news of her illness. Her words continue to guide us (https://relentlessschoolnurse.com/). 

Additionally, when I received my copy of NASN School Nurse just three days after hearing the news, I found Robin’s article inside, titled What School Nurses Carry Beyond the Health Office: Advocacy, Responsibility, and Action. It felt like another reminder that she had already given us a roadmap, a path forward through advocacy, compassion, and action.

Robin’s voice may have changed form, but her mission continues. We will carry it forward❣️

More information will follow about being a guest blogger on The Relentless School Nurse and how we can continue to honor Robin’s legacy through advocacy, storytelling, and the work she cared so deeply about.

Cogan R. (2026) What School Nurses Carry Beyond the Health Office: Advocacy, Responsibility, and Action. NASN School Nurse, 41(3):102-103. doi:10.1177/1942602X261428138