Mission Statement:

Illinois Association of School Nurses promotes wellness and educational success of school communities by supporting, developing, and advocating for professional school nurse leaders.

Strategic Plan:

I.                Advance the practice of professional school nursing.

A.     Endorse and promote the core values of NASN and utilize the NASN/ANA Standards of Practice.

B.     Develop and promote educational opportunities.

1.      Offer CNEs at division and state level offerings/meetings.

2.      Encourage members to develop programs that will provide CNEs

3.      Maintain a database of IL CSNs with expertise in specific subjects.

4.      Promote utilization of NASN educational resources and programs.

5.      Collaborate with educational institutions to provide courses beyond initial certification for university credit.

6.      Communicate CEU offerings from other health-related organizations to members.

C.     Pursue research in school health which defines and validates the practice of school nursing.

1.      Identify relevant research areas/topics which work toward bridging the gap between evidence based research and school health practices.

2.      Promote IASN and NASN research awards.

3.      Identify and disseminate nursing practice research and funding sources.

4.      Encourage publication of research findings.

D.     Encourage membership/active participation in IASN/NASN and related organizations.

1.     Enhance recruitment and retention.

2.      Solicit newsletter articles from committees and membership.

3.      Encourage involvement at the division and state levels.

E.      Recognize and promote excellence in school nursing practice with award presentations at state and  division levels.

F.      Encourage and promote national certification through The National Board of Certification in School  Nursing.

G.     Encourage professional growth by expanding use of technology in practice.

II.              Provide leadership to develop and promote healthy school communities.

A.     Work toward the reinstatement of the school nurse consultant at Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

B.     Advocate that every student in Illinois has increased access to a certified school nurse.

C.     Address issues proactively and develop collaborative relationships with state and local agencies.

1.      Continue IASN representation on advisory councils to identify school health issues.

2.      Develop and disseminate position statements as significant issues arise.

3.      Develop a more supportive relationship with the INA, IEA/NEA,

IFT/AFT

D.     Promote relationships among nurses practicing in the school setting.

1.      Private/parochial

2.      Non-certified nurses

E.     Cultivate relationships with institutions of higher learning to:

1.      Develop additional school nurse certification programs

2.      Recognize certified school nursing as a nursing specialty.

III.             Advocate the role and promote the effectiveness of school nursing in the public domain.

A.     Promote the role of certified school nurses as educators and members of the education team.

B.     Encourage school nurses to be more visible within their school community.

C.     Educate the public as to the role of and the services available from the school nurse.

D.     Encourage members to interact with their local school boards.

E.      Educate the membership on protocol for effective communication with policy makers.

F.      Educate policy makers about current delivery models of school health nursing services.

G.     Create new promotional materials for IASN addressing unique needs throughout the state.

1.      Diversity of the populations served

2.      Inequality of nursing assignments

3.      Differing educational and experience levels of nurses in the schools.

IV.              Strengthen the Association.

A.    Advocate for certified school nurses by establishing relationships with the Illinois Department of  Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Illinois Association of School Boards, and Illinois Principals Association.

B.     Actively recruit members representing the diversity of the population in Illinois.

C.     Maintain relationship with Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

D.     Review and update existing IASN elected, standing, and special committee descriptions and duties.

E.      Maintain fiscal responsibility.

F.      Establishment of specific annual goals by the Executive Committee.

G.     Increase relationships between state and corresponding division committees.

H.     Evaluate annual conference issues.

I.      Review strategic plan every three years.

Adopted 10-17-08