October 21, 2025 NJSSNA Executive Board meeting notes:

President’s Report:

• Cynthia Samuel attended the American School Health Conference in Colorado

President-Elect Report

• Debbie Nazarro is working on the diabetes task force to update the guidelines.

• NJSSNA needs more volunteers.

Legislative Report:

• S4545 - Expands epinephrine administration mechanisms permitted in schools for the training of delegates. Lorraine Borek, State School Nurse Consultant, has stated that Neffy cannot be delegated. The language in the law must be changed to allow for delegation of Neffy. They are waiting for elections to happen to move forward with this legislation.

Education Committee Report:

NJSSNA Fall Conference dates:

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 6:00pm – Safeguarding Student Wellness: Immigrants Rights and the School Nurse Role. Presented by Dr. Shilpa Pai & Jill Westerberg, ESQ

Registration for the Fall Conference is available in the members-only area of the NJSSNA website. Monthly Executive Board meetings can also be registered for in the members-only area.

• The NJSSNA Spring Conference – NJ School Nurses at the Heart of Student Success - will take place Friday evening 3/27 & Saturday 3/28 at the Hilton in East Brunswick. The deadline for poster submission is January 30, 2026.

• In search of SY 2025-2026 Rising Stars

NJSSNA invites our members to nominate colleagues for the 2026 Rising Star Award.

"The NJSSNA Rising Star Award honors a current member who, within their first five years of practice, demonstrates professionalism aligned with NASN standards, a passion for school nursing, emerging leadership, and a positive impact on students.

One Rising Star will be selected from each County School Nurse Association from nominations received.

In addition, one nurse will be selected and honored as the NJ State School Nurses Association’s Rising Star. 

Know a standout school nurse?

Anyone can nominate a Rising Star by submitting the 2026 nomination form to be released shortly.

Criteria for submission, the school nurse:

Demonstrates professionalism according to NASN's Framework and the School Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 4th Edition   

Passion for the specialty

Growth in their practice

Positive impact on their students

Demonstrated emerging leadership skills

Actively practicing school nurse for 5 years or less

A current member of NJSSNA (with current active or student paid membership status in NJSSNA)

Benefits of the award: 

Recognition on the NJSSNA website and communications through the website

Recognition during the NJSSNA Spring Conference

Enhance your Curriculum Vitae

Frameable certificate

Letter of your achievement sent to your current Principal and Superintendent

Thank you for recognizing and supporting novice school nurse colleagues.  

We look forward to seeing you and your nominee at the Spring Conference.

Nominations will be accepted via the nomination form on the NJSSNA website through 2/14/26 beginning January, 2026."

Practice & Standards Report:

Publishing of Standards – The funding to publish Standards is expensive. After the Standards have been published it will be possible to make changes to keep everything current online rather than the need to go to an editor.

• Rosemary Haven will be working with NJSSNA to complete her research.

     NASN Director Report:

• Robin Cogan encourages going on the NASN website for all updates. A great invitation was received from the Daisy Foundation which recognizes and honors extraordinary nurses. The Daisy Foundation is very highly regarded across the states and world.

NJSSNA Executive Director Report:

• Rose Catton has been working on a dinner program starting with Bergen, Passaic and Essex County which will eventually be extended to the other counties.

• Rose Catton reported that the NJDOE now recognizes compact licenses. This is a tremendous accomplishment.