Beyond Bandaids: Advocating for School Nurses in a Changing Policy Landscape

Welcome to Beyond Band-Aids, the official podcast of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN)! 🎧💙 Hosted by NASN CEO Terri Hinkley, this podcast goes beyond the basics of school nursing to explore the real challenges, triumphs, and evolving role of school nurses in shaping student health and well-being. Each episode brings expert guests, policy insights, and real-world stories to help school nurses stay informed, inspired, and empowered. Podcast Title: Advocating for School Nurses in a Changing Policy Landscape Episode: Episode 1 Release Date: March 12, 2025 Moderator: Terri Hinkley, EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE; CEO, NASN Guests: Piper Largent, Director of Government Affairs, NASN Jim Twaddell, Senior Policy Advisor, Venable LLP Episode Summary: In this episode, NASN CEO Terri Hinkley, EdD, MBA, BScN, RN, CAE sits down with Piper Largent, NASN's Director of Government Affairs, and Jim Twaddell, Senior Policy Advisor at Venable LLP, to discuss NASN's advocacy priorities and how to work with the new Administration. They delve into NASN's new 2025 Advocacy Priorities, offering insights into ways to work with the new Administration. Key Takeaways: 1. NASN’s Four Pillars of Advocacy – NASN has transitioned from legislative priorities to broader advocacy priorities, structured around four key pillars: student wellbeing, the school nursing workforce, securing sustainable funding, and demonstrating the value of school nursing. These priorities guide NASN’s legislative efforts, research, and grants to ensure lasting impact on student health and school nursing support. 2. Navigating Policy Changes and Advocacy – With a new administration in power, NASN remains committed to its mission regardless of political shifts. The key to effective advocacy is building relationships with policymakers, focusing on shared goals, and finding common ground. School nurses and stakeholders can influence policy through strategic engagement and by providing data-driven insights on school health. 3. The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy – NASN emphasizes the combination of personal stories and data as a compelling strategy for advocacy. School nurses are encouraged to share firsthand experiences that highlight the importance of their role in student health. This approach strengthens NASN’s legislative efforts and helps policymakers understand the real-world impact of school nursing. Connect with Us: Website: nasn.org​ Instagram: ⁠@nasnschoolnurses ⁠​Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/SchoolNurses⁠ #BeyondBandAidsPodcast #NASN #SchoolNurses #SchoolHealth #Podcast