Illinois Association of School Nurses

Policy Pathways for School Nurses
2026-01-13 18:30 - 2026-04-14 19:45 (America/Chicago)
Policy Pathways for School Nurses
Embark on a transformative journey in school nurse leadership and policy.
January 2026 – April 2026
Your journey to policy confidence starts here!
The Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) proudly presents Policy Pathways for School Nurses — a one-of-a-kind learning experience designed to empower school nurses to lead in advocacy and policy at every level.
This innovative program blends engaging instruction with real-world application to remove the mystery (and fear!) often associated with public policy, legislation, and advocacy. Whether you are new to policy work or ready to expand your leadership capacity, this program will elevate your voice, skills, confidence, and impact.
What Participants Will Gain

A clear understanding of the legislative and policymaking process in Illinois
Enhanced advocacy skills to confidently engage with policymakers
The ability to influence change at both the local and state levels
Hands-on experience in real policy environments
Up to TBD contact hours, earned through:

Four interactive virtual learning sessions
One in-person Capitol experience, including meetings with legislators

Take the next step on your Policy Pathway — and join IASN in shaping the future of school health policy in Illinois!
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must be:

A current IASN member or prospective member
Currently working as a school nurse

Program Overview
Policy Pathways for School Nurses
Presented by the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN)
Empowering school nurses to lead with confidence in advocacy and policy.
Virtual Learning Series
Hosted via Zoom | Tuesdays | 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
Attendance is required for all sessions.
Session One | January 13
Foundations of Policy and the Legislative Process from a Nurse Perspective
Speaker: Jameszetta James-Thompson, EdD, MJ, MSN, RN, ASC-BC, ACM-RN
Session Two | February 10
Inside the Process: How Legislation Takes Shape
Speaker: Dagmara Avelar, State Representative, Illinois 85th District
Session Three | March 10
Power, Perception, and Policy: Navigating the Influences
Speaker: Lovey Reynolds, APRN, FNP-BC, CPN, CNE
Session Four | April 07
The School Nurse Voice: Becoming an Effective Policy Influencer
Speaker: TBD
Session Five: Capitol Experience, Report-Out & Program Completion
IASN School Nurse Hill Day
Illinois State Capitol – Springfield, IL
April 14 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Participants will meet with legislators, engage in advocacy activities, and gain an immersive understanding of how policy is shaped in Illinois.
Speakers:

Lisell Zuñiga, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
Debbie Broadfield, Capital Edge Consulting

Legislative Dinner
April 14 | 6:00 PM (optional)
Location: TBD
Participants will pay for their own dinner.
Criteria for Successful Completion
To successfully complete the 2026 Policy Pathways for School Nurses Program and earn TBD contact hours, participants must:

Attend all four virtual learning sessions
Attend the in-person Capitol session in Springfield
Participate in the final evaluation and report-out session

IASN Coffee & Chat with the Board
2026-02-12 17:00 - 19:00 | District 54 Rafferty Administration Center, 524 E Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, 60194, United States
IASN would like to invite you all to District 54 Rafferty Administration Center for a IASN Coffee & Chat with the Board!
WHEN: February 12, 2026 from 5:00PM-7:00PM
WHERE:
524 E Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194
Training Rooms 103 & 104

2026 IASN Spring Conference - Sponsorship Opportunities
2026-02-20 - 2026-02-21 | NIU Naperville Conference Center, 1120 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL, 60563, United States
Sponsorships – 69th Annual IASN Spring Conference
IASN Spring Conference – February 20th & 21st, 2026
Location: NIU Naperville Conference Center
1120 East Diehl Road
Naperville, IL 60563
Sponsorship Packages Available
Commitment due by February 1, 2026.
On behalf of the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) Board, I would like to personally invite you to our 69th IASN Conference taking place February 20-21, 2026 happening at NIU Naperville Conference Center. This year’s conference will bring us together from across the State together to engage in professional development, have the opportunity to network, and advance the quality of health in our schools.
This conference is an opportunity for companies and organizations like yours to exhibit and advertise your services, information and products of interest to School Nurses and public health in general. We are inviting your organization to collaborate with us as a sponsor for this event. We currently have 850+ IASN members that will be invited to attend this event.
All our partners will be given recognition on conference materials; please see the enclosed package details to see which package is best for you. You will see there are many additional benefits available to amplify your involvement as a Platinum Sponsor. Included below are the Sponsorship and Advertisement options.
Bronze Sponsorships – $1,800
•Recognition on printed Conference Materials
•Exhibitor Table at Conference

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristy Dugan-Melia at kristy@sysconsultingsolutions.com.

2026 IASN Spring Conference - Ready to Respond: A School Nurse Summit
2026-02-20 08:00 - 2026-02-21 17:00 | NIU Naperville Conference Center, 1120 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL, 60563, United States
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
The Illinois Association of School Nurses welcomes all nurses who work in schools and other related settings to their 2026 Spring Conference. Join school nurses from across Illinois and beyond on February 20th & 21st at NIU Naperville Conference Center in Naperville, Illinois.
When: Friday, February 20th & Saturday, February 21st
Location: NIU Naperville Conference Center
1120 E. Diehl Road
Naperville, IL 60563
Become a Member Today and Save!
Conference Registration:
• Member: $125
• Non-Member: $175
🎉 After Party Award & Poster Celebration (evening of 02/20/2026):
• $30
IASN 2026 Conference Agenda
CEUs Pending
Friday, February 20, 2026
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Registration & Vendor Table Visits
8:45 AM – 8:50 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:50 AM – 9:40 AM – Session 1 My Journey in Healthcare
Speaker: Dr. W. Zeh Wellington, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC
9:40 AM – 9:55 AM – Morning Break/Vendor Visits
9:55 AM – 10:40 AM – Session 2: Advocacy for Children with Allergic Diseases and Asthma in the School Setting, at a Local and National Level
Speaker: Juanita Mora, MD, Board-Certified Allergist-Immunologist
(40–45 min presentation + Q&A)
10:40 AM – 11:45 AM – Session 3: Mental Health Continuum of Services Panel Speakers: Dr. Ashley Fischer, Dr. Dena Hinkle, Jennifer McAdams, Jennifer Stennett, Gloria E. Barrera
11:45 AM – 11:50 AM – Break/Vendor Visit
11:50 AM – 12:30 PM – Session 4: Public Health Initiatives for Illinois Children
Speakers: Julia Strehlow & Jennifer Seo
12:35 PM – 1:25 PM – Lunch & Networking / Vendor Visits
1:25 PM – 2:25 PM – Session 5: Keynote
The Interactive Keynote Session: The Power of Humor
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM – Breakout Sessions

Breakout 1: Nancy Norton: Practicing Playful Presence

Breakout 2: Susann Marcum, Michelle Maurer, Carol Carter: Let’s Talk! Critical Conversations you Need to Have!

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM – Free Time / Vendor Visits / Informal Networking
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM – IASN Board Meeting and Dinner (5:30 PM)
6:15 PM – 6:45 PM – Awards Ceremony
6:45 PM – 10:00 PM – Hors d’oeuvres & Social Event

Saturday, February 21, 2026
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Registration & Vendor Table Visits / Breakfast
8:45 AM – 8:50 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:50 AM – 9:55 AM – Session 1: Showing Up for Ourselves: Mindfulness for School Nurse Burnout. Speakers: Ava Anyadoh BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, Tina M. Lopez, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, RNC-OB
9:55 AM – 10:40 AM – Session 2: Illinois School Health Services Project
Speaker: Dr. Mayumi Willgerodt
10:40 AM – 11:00 AM – Break /Optional Movement break – Zumba/ Vendor Visits
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Session 3: The Essential Toolkit: School Nurse Support for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome/Functional Neurological Disorder/Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures/Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Speakers: Monika Christiansen MSN, RN, IL PEL-SN, NCSN, Shannon Connolly MSN, RN, IL PEL-SN, Nicholette Riddle MSN, RN, IL PEL-SN, Samantha Schneider MSN, RN, IL PEL-SN
11:45 AM – 12:40 PM – Session 4: School Nurse Legal Essentials: Protecting Your License & Your Practice Speaker: Gloria E. Barrera
12:45 PM – 1:40 PM – Lunch & Networking / Vendor Visits
1:45 PM – 2:35 PM – Breakout Sessions

Breakout 1: Role of the School Nurse in IEP/504 Speaker: Mary Noga

Breakout 2: Union is Not a Bad Word: Empowering School Nurses in the Collective Strength of Organized Education Speaker: Jessica Kibble

2:40 PM – 3:00 PM – Raffle Announcement, Closing Remarks & Evaluations
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM –Vendor Visits

Lodging Details

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville

Address: 1823 Abriter Court,Naperville, IL 60563USA

IASN Conference Booking Link
Reservations can also be made by calling (800)774-1500 and referencing the IASN Conference.
Blocked Rooms:
Available Thursday February 19, 2026 – THREE (3) 1 KING Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night and TWO (2) 2 QUEEN Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night
Available Friday February 20, 2026 – EIGHT (8) 1 KING Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night and SEVEN (7) 2 QUEEN Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night
Available Saturday February 21, 2026 – EIGHT (8)1 KING Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night and SEVEN (7) 2 QUEEN Bed Suites @ $139.00 per night
Method of Reservation: Bookings are to be made by individuals. What this means is each individual guest will follow the link to secure their own reservation. If they have trouble with the link OR if preferred, your guests may call 1(800)774-1500 to make their reservations and reference the group name from your contract.
Cut-off Date: Wednesday January 27, 2026. This means the rate will expire Wednesday January 27, 2026. Your guests will need to complete their reservations prior to that time to participate in the blocked rate.
Billing Instructions: All rooms to be paid by the individuals holding the reservation. This means guests will provide their card information at booking and no rooms will be billed to the Master Account.
Cancellation Policy: Each individual must cancel within a 48-hour period prior to each check in date to avid cancellation fees. This means your guests will need to cancel no less than 48 hours prior to the check in dated reserved to avoid cancellation fees.
Photo ID:
Photo ID will be required at Check-in. All reservations must provide a Government Issued Photo ID for the name listed on the reservation. Individuals may not provide identification for more than one room at a time during their stay. What this means is each person booking a room will need to bring their DL, State ID, Passport, etc. in order to check into their room upon arrival. In the event a guest does not provide proper identification, they will not be able to check in and may be subject to cancellation fees.
Purchase Your 50/50 Raffle Tickets Now
Join school nurses from across Illinois for two powerful days of education, connection, innovation, and celebration.
This is your moment to grow, network, and elevate your practice.

School Nurse Hill Day 2026
2026-04-14 11:00 - 15:30 | Illinois State Capitol, 401 S. 2nd Street, Springfield, IL, 62701, United States
April 14, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Springfield, Illinois – Illinois State Capitol
The Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) School Nurse Hill Day is an opportunity for school nurses from across Illinois to come together to advocate for policies that strengthen school health services and the nursing profession.
This event provides school nurses with the opportunity to learn about current legislative issues impacting school health and to engage directly with policymakers. Participants will gain insight into the legislative process and identify ways to influence healthcare policy that affects students, schools, and communities.
There is no cost to attend School Nurse Hill Day.
Planned Activities
The final schedule is currently being finalized. Planned activities include:

Meeting with IASN lobbyist Debbie Broadfield

Observation from the Capitol Gallery

Guided tour of the Illinois State Capitol

Meetings with legislators and legislative staff
Opportunities to discuss school health policy priorities

Tentative Schedule
11:00 AM – Self paid Early lunch with IASN lobbyist Debbie Broadfield
Location: Boone’s Saloon located 301 W Edwards St, Springfield, IL 62704
12:15 PM – Walk to the Illinois State Capitol
12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Activities may include:

Capitol tour
Observing legislative hearings or floor sessions
Meeting with legislators and staff

Participants are encouraged to schedule meetings with their legislators in advance by contacting their offices directly.
https://www.ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator
How to Contact Your Legislators Before Lobby Day – A Simple Guide for School Nurses Visiting the Illinois Capitol
Hotel Options Near the Capitol
For those traveling from outside the area, the following hotels are located near the Illinois State Capitol:

State House Inn

President Abraham Lincoln Inn

Candlewood Suites Springfield
Carpenter Street Hotel

School Nurse Hill Day 2026

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IASN Coffee & Chat with the Board
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Hillside Public Library, 405 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, IL, 60162, United States
IASN would like to invite you all to Hillside Public Library for a IASN Coffee & Chat with the Board!
WHEN: April 25, 2026 from 2:00-4:00PM
WHERE:
Hillside Public Library
405 Hillside Avenue
Hillside, IL 60162

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