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Melanie Bales, MSN, BSN, RN, CMS
Vice President Candidate
Current NASN Affiliate: Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN)
Major Clinical, Teaching, or Practice Area: Administration/Management, School Nurse -Elementary and Secondary
Education: Grand Canyon University, Nursing - Emphasis in Leadership in Healthcare Systems, MSN, 2019: Tuskegee University, Nursing, BSN, 1987; University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Nursing Major, 1982-1984
Awards, Achievements, and Honors: Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 2019; Unsung Health Hero - Hayes Elementary School 2021 for Leadership in Healthcare in CCSD schools, 2021; Cobb County School District All-Star, 2015
Number of Years in School Nursing: 22 years
Employment: Cobb County School District, Assistant Director, Student Support - District School Nurse Administrator, 2016 - Present: Central Office Administrator. Manage and coordinate the provision of general healthcare to students; supervise the work of the consulting nursing staff; consult with other medical specialists and school personnel; and offer training and professional development programs for school nurses and clinic substitutes.
Other Significant Positions Held: Consulting Nurse, Cobb County School District, 2006 -2016; School Nurse/Itinerant School Nurse-Instructor, Cobb County School District, 2002 - 2006; Manager/Patient Family Services/Utilization Management Coordinator/Associate Nurse Manager, Miami Children’s Hospital, 1993 - 1999
Present NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Conference Content Reviewer, 2023
Past NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Fidelity Reviewer, 2022; Annual Meeting Minutes Approval Committee, 2020 - 2021
Present NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: GASN Past-President, 2022 - 2023
Past NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: GASN President, 2019 - 2022; GASN President-Elect and Treasurer, 2015 - 2019
Present Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA
Past Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA
Publications Significant to School Nursing: NA
Participation in Publication Review: NA
- National Association of School Nurses. (2021). Medication Administration Clinical Practice Guidelines in the School. Author. (n.d.). https://cdn.fs.pathlms.com/eMfakewQq20XiLuoim9w
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. (2019). Georgia School Nurse Resource Manual.
Presentations Significant to School Nursing:
- Bales, M. (n.d.). Community Health Panel: Kennesaw State University [Slide show;PowerPoint]. Kennesaw State University School of Nursing, Kennesaw, United States of America.
- Bales, M. (n.d.-b). School Nursing: Impact on Health of School Aged Children and Adolescents [Slide show; PowerPoint]. Clayton State University School of Nursing,Morrow, United States of America.
- Bobo, MSN, RN, N., Ogbu, MD, MSc, E., Bales, MSN, BSN, RN, CMS, M., American College of Rheumatology, & National Association of School Nurses. (n.d.). Pediatric to Adult Care Transition for Students with Lupus – The School Nurse Role in Care Coordination and Transition Planning [Slide show]. https://learn.nasn.org/courses/36040
- Bales, MSN, BSN, RN, CMS, M., & Carr, RN, BSN, S. (n.d.). Webinar: Medication Administration Safe Practices in a School Setting [Slide show]. Georgia Department of Education School Nursing 101. https://url.gadoe.org/3rd8
- Bales, MSN, BSN, RN, CMS, M., & Meadows, MSN, BSN, RN, SBHAF, L. (n.d.). Charting the Course for the 21st Century School Nurse Leader. [Slide show; PowerPoint]. Georgia Association of School Nurses 2019 Leadership Academy.
Research Significant to School Nursing: NA
Participation in Data Collection: NA
Statement of View: I am seeking the position of Vice President of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) because I aspire to serve with excellence to fulfill the duties as outlined in the association bylaws and standard operating procedures. I am a strong leader and genuinely passionate about school nursing. In order to support the NASN mission, core values, and strategic plan, if elected, I want to be a leader who is REAL by ensuring that school nursing is relevant, enthusiastically engaging members to support their needs, acting with authenticity and awareness in everything I do to represent NASN, and actively listening as I work to address challenges school nurses face.
Staffing shortages, fair pay, and the general need to continuously educate lawmakers and decision-makers on the role school nurses play in ensuring the successful future of the children in this country are some of the major challenges that affect school nursing in general and NASN now and in the next few years.
As Vice President, I will eagerly support the President-Elect in reviewing documents for the NASN Board in accordance with the bylaws, participate actively on committees, identify current issues affecting school nursing practice, present concise reports to the executive board, work with others to develop significant solutions that have a positive impact on school nursing practice, and carry out any other responsibilities that may be assigned with attention to detail.
I consider it an honor to be nominated for the position of Vice President of NASN. If elected I will always commit to work for the good of our organization to make sure we can work for the good of the students and communities we serve. Thereby supporting the learning process,ensuring student success, and helping to ensure the future of healthy communities.
This Vice President candidate completed the Nominating Committee process.