OASN News

Recent article published in JAMA, January 23,2025 identifies the role of nurses in today's schools.

76% of Americans consider nurses highly ethical and honest, making them the most trusted of 23 professions rated in the annual Gallup Poll!

HB 8 requires school officials to notify parents if their child asks to be identified by a different gender, and, among other things, requires school districts to obtain authorization from parents prior to providing any type of health care service to the student, including physical, mental, and behavioral health care services. 

Symptoms include sudden vomiting and diarrhea, as well as nausea, body aches, headache, and fever. 

For more information visit CDC Norovirus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in over 900,000 chickens at a farm in Darke County.

The discovery was made shortly after Christmas. The Ohio Department of Agriculture does not identify individual farms during active cases.

"The farmers, the ones that are producing livestock, they realize they have a problem in a barn pretty quick. All of a sudden, they have got birds that are passing, birds that are just not acting right, they're not eating, and all those things and that's immediately when they start testing. But it is just really impacting that growing, live animal from an industry standpoint; products are very safe," Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said.

ODA said there are no reported cases of bird flu transmission to humans in Ohio.

Baldridge emphasized, "From a human standpoint, no concerns on that as far as this transmission in this strain."

However, the risk of transmission can be higher for individuals who work directly with infected animals. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, HPAI cannot be transmitted through properly cooked meats or eggs.

At least 931,302 chickens were involved at the farm. When detected, officials quarantine the facility, and birds are depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. A control area and surveillance zone is set up to monitor other facilities nearby.

 "That facility is quarantined, and that goes into biosecurity, making sure we contain and we go through the process of disinfecting," Baldridge explained.

HB 70, a legislative bill requiring districts to develop a policy regarding over the counter drugs, passed the House in April 2024 and the Senate in November 2024 and is on its way to Governor DeWine for signature. 

Be informed. Read the Current Version.

What does your school district's current medication use policy, administrative and nursing guidelines say about prescription and OTC drugs? 

What do your current district medication use forms look like?

How will you use your voice to protect Ohio's Nurse Practice Act and Scope of Practice in a school setting and influence the outcome of this bill in your school district when it becomes law?

The new law, which officially took effect today 10/24/24:

·     Requires AEDs to be placed in every public and chartered nonpublic school and all municipal sports and recreation locations, except in townships and villages with populations of less than 5,000.

·     Requires these venues to adopt an emergency action plan (such as ODH’s Model AED Emergency Action Plan).

·     Requires schools to specifically ensure the training of teachers, administrators, coaches, athletic trainers, and anyone else supervising student-athletes on how and when to use AEDs.

·     Requires schools and youth sports organizations to hold informational meetings each sports season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for young athletes of all ages.

To learn more about cardiac emergencies or to view the action plan, visit the Ohio Department of Health’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest webpage.

Columbus Dispatch
The state of Ohio will require automated external defibrillators be available in schools and sports facilities around the state. On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine signed House Bill 47, which mandates that AEDs be placed in every public and chartered nonpublic school in Ohio, as well as all municipally owned or operated sports and recreation venues. After Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and fell onto the Paycor Stadium field during a game against Cincinnati in January 2023, his life was saved by an automated external defibrillator. After Canen Dickman of Worthington collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest during a summer soccer practice, his life too was saved by an AED.

Highlights from the OASN conference include having AAP and Everytown for Gun Safety present. 

The registration window for summer testing is open until June 7, 2024. Exam dates are between July 8 - August 11, 2024. For more information, please visit NBCSN.

Wondering what a test question is like? Here is a sample question from the NBCSN website.

Given the risk of transmission with MRSA, when a student presents with a pustulous wound, which of the following should be your first step? *

• A. Notify the public health department.
• B. Make arrangements for dismissal ASAP.
• C. Apply a warm soak to promote drainage.
• D. Cover completely and refer to PCP.

Dr. Sroka keynoted the National School Safety and Security Conference in collaboration with the National Association of School Nurses on May 9, 2024, in San Diego. ABC 10 News in San Diego ran a story about it.

Mary Schatz, MSN, RN, LSN, Nurse Manager of Akron Children’s Hospital School Health Services, is this year’s Ohio Association of School Nurses 2024 School Nurse Administrator of the Year.  Mary has been a pediatric nurse for over 23 years. She became a school nurse in 2009 and went on to become the Nurse Manager for Health Services. She oversees 200 staff members across 43 school districts, creating standardized operations to promote safety and improve student outcomes. Her collaboration with school partners and community resources supports the OASN mission that a healthy student is one who is ready to learn.

“I am truly honored with being awarded the School Nurse Administrator of the Year for the state of Ohio.”, said Schatz. “This recognition is extremely close to my heart as it came from my staff.  My staff are my world and push me to be better every day.  I could not be the leader I am without them.  A healthy child is one that is ready to learn.  A school nurse supports that child in being a healthy child.  Student outcomes are impacted by school nurses!  Strive to make that impact every day!,”

Mary will be recognized and receive her award at the Annual Ohio Association of School Nurses’ conference on April 19, 2024 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.  

Virginia Shaffer, MS, BSN, RN, LSN is this year’s Ohio Association of School Nurses 2024 School Nurse of the Year. Virginia is the Diabetes Resource Nurse for the Columbus Public School District. She has been a licensed school nurse for 14 years, effectively holding positions as a building nurse for students in the elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. She provided care for students who were medically complex, students from other countries, and students with special education needs. As the Diabetes Resource Nurse she coordinates evidence-based care for 180 students with diabetes, provides staff education and training, supports students with diabetes and their families, and acts as the liaison between school administrators and community healthcare providers. 

"I am extremely honored and grateful to be named Ohio School Nurse of the Year.", said Virginia. "I work with a tremendous group of school nurses in Columbus City Schools and in the state of Ohio.  I am passionate about serving our children and am humbled to be recognized by my peers for this award. I am blessed to have colleagues that acknowledge my dedication and constantly inspire me to continue doing this important work."

Virginia will be recognized and receive her award at the Annual Ohio Association of School Nurses’ conference on April 19, 2024 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.