Introduction Key Messages Tip Sheets Advocacy Tools Marketing Materials Health Education
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Rebecca King, Red Clay School District, DE (cont’d)
Lessons Learned
• As health professionals, School Nurses often see and can surface vital health
issues well before the public is aware. She and her fellow nurses saw signs of
serious addiction problems in the community in 2012 – well before a formal
study demonstrated that local overdose deaths far exceeded national incidence.
• You can’t do it all. To have real impact, a School Nurse should focus on one or
two issues – and become the “go to” expert for the community. Let another school
or community health professional take lead on another urgent issue.
• Take advantage of NASN information and resources. Rebecca and her team
were aware of the Smart Moves, Smart Choices curriculum from NASN’s website.
NASN information and resources are well researched and evidenced-based.
If you can’t find information on a specific topic, staff members are available,
welcoming, and generous in assisting members by phone or email.
• To build a coalition, show up in person at stakeholder and group meetings and
public forums. Introduce yourself and give a short presentation on what you’re
trying to achieve. Often, others are trying to address the same problem – by joining
forces, you can avoid redundant effort and achieve greater impact. Decision
makers and other organization appreciate and respect the professional expertise
that School Nurses bring to health issues.
• School Nurses have tremendous community access through students, families,
staff, and school organizations. Schools are also natural community anchors and
gathering places. When you provide education through the school, you reach the
whole community.