CENTENNIAL
OF SCHOOL NURSING CELEBRATED THROUGH RELEASE OF SPECIAL EDITION CALENDAR
HANOVER
PARK, Ill.
- October 1, 2002 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the school nursing
profession in the United States. School Nursing emerged as a nursing specialty
following the experimental placement of a public health nurse in a New York
City public school in October 1902. The success of that first school nurse,
Lina Rogers, in reducing absenteeism due to communicable diseases led to
the employment of other nurses in New York City and elsewhere. The role
of these early school nurses quickly expanded to include an emphasis on
wellness and disease prevention, health education, and a broadly defined
client population including children, their families, and the community.
To recognize this milestone, School Health® Corporation has created
a special edition twelve month calendar to celebrate the significant contributions
school nurses have made to both school children and to the nursing profession.
Every month in the calendar features a scene from School Health's annual
catalog cover series known as A Day in the Life of a School Nurse. These
original paintings by artist Mike Hagel bring to life the joys and challenges
of the profession. The 2003 calendar includes a brief look at the history
of school nursing, monthly health observances, and motivating statements
meant to rally a sense of pride and inspire school nurses to champion their
own cause. Proceeds from the calendar will support the National Association
of School Nurses Endowment Fund.
"We are proud
to help school nurses around the country celebrate the centennial of their
profession," said Susan Rogers, president of School Health Corporation.
"We believe it is time for this dedicated profession to be recognized
by the country for its critical role in serving the health and future of
our children."
The special edition calendar, entitled "A Tradition of Caring, A Mission
For Health: Celebrating 100 Years of School Nursing," will be distributed
at school nurse conferences nationwide. It can also be purchased for a donation
to the NASN Endowment Fund by visiting www.schoolhealth.com
or www.nasn.org.
The following companies help fund the 100 Years Celebration: School Health
Corporation, Good-Lite, Titmus Optical, Maico Diagnostics, Johnson &
Johnson's Campaign For Nursing's Future, Bayer Corporation, Coverlet Fabric
Dressings, Medtronic Physio-Control, and Welch Allyn. School nursing is
a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being,
academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school
nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote
health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems;
provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to
build student and family capacity for adaptation, self management, self
advocacy, and learning.
The National Association of School Nurses, Castle Rock, Colo., is a non-profit
specialty nursing organization organized in 1969 comprised of 11,000 members
and 51 school nurse affiliate organizations in 49 states, the District of
Columbia, and Overseas. The NASN improves the health and educational success
of children and youth by developing and providing leadership to
advance school nursing practice. For more information about school nursing
and for local school nurse contacts, please call Felix Ortiz at (303) 663-2329.
School Health® Corporation, Hanover Park, Ill., is the leading provider
of health supplies and vision and hearing screening instruments to schools,
public health departments and medical clinics. Founded in 1950, the company
achieved success by focusing on the needs of its customers and by broadening
its product line. Located in Hanover Park, Ill., School Health® Corporation
has a 50,000 square-foot brick and mortar facility well equipped to fulfill
orders generated through its national sales force, direct mail catalogs
and e-commerce websites. For additional information about School Health®
Corporation, call Rob Rogers at (800) 323-1305.
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