As the voice for all certified school nurses in our state, the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners recognizes the importance of following a carefully crafted plan which enhances the present functioning and future performance of the organization. The strategic Plan is meant to be a dynamic document, and as such, will be reviewed by the organizational committee yearly to document and report to the Board of Directors the progress toward each goal and objective. The revised and updated plan is based on the current and predicted needs determined by the Pennsylvania's certified school nurses and practitioners through needs assessments and written reports.
Assumptions For The Future
By 2014, the Organization will:
Be recognized as a leader in advocacy for school health in schools and local communities.
1. Be aware of legislation that impacts school health issues.
2. Encourage membership in the association through various means of communication.
3. Provide educational and research opportunities that will improve school nursing practice and the school nurses' skills.
4. Encourage the use of technology in the practice of school nursing.
5. Promote the professional image of school nursing through effective use of a variety of media.
Goal 1: EDUCATION; PASNAP WILL PROMOTE THE PRACTICE OF SCHOOL NURSING IN PENNSYLVANIA.
1.1 Expand and utilize existing continuing education opportunities for school nurses in Pennsylvania
1.1.1 Provide a needs-based comprehensive annual educational conference which reflects best practice in school nursing, advanced technology, and leadership skills.
1.1.2 Provide offerings, which are relevant to trends and issues in school health and health education.
1.1.3 Develop and maintain professional development corner as part of the PASNAP web page.
1.1.3.1 Include Internet links to professional sites offering continuing education credit related to school health.
1.1.3.2 Maintain an updated list of related professional conferences available throughout the state.
1.2 Collaborate with community agencies and organizations to broaden resources available to the school community.
1.3.1 Participate in the development of school community health policies and procedures that affect school health services.
1.3.2 Develop and disseminate educational materials to school communities regarding the role of the school nurse and current child and community health issues.
1.3.3 Advocate for the inclusion of the certified school nurse on private and public health curriculum committees on the local, state, and national levels.
1.3.4 Develop and disseminate educational materials regarding the role of the certified school nurse in the provision of comprehensive health care services.
1.4 Prepare a newsletter that provides information and a networking system for certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.
1.4.1 Encourage school nurses and school nurse practitioners to submit articles on their practice.
1.4.2 Actively solicit articles from interested stakeholders.
1.5 Encourage certified school nurses and practitioners to enroll in educational programs that enhance their knowledge and skills.
1.5.1 Provide educational scholarships.
1.6 Encourage school nurses and school nurse practitioners to engage in evidence based research.
1.6.1 Provide monetary awards for relevant research.
1.6.2 Support research that evaluates and validates school health services which are based upon standards of school medical/nursing best practice, nursing theory, and student wellness.
1.7 Improve the management, revisions, and updates of the PASNAP web page (www.pasnap.org) through an expanded technology committee.
1.7.1 Encourage the use of the Internet resources to enhance the dissemination of educational materials and continuing educational opportunities through web links.
1.8 Expand and utilize existing Internet/computer technology in practice of school nursing
1.8.1 Encourage use of valid Internet resources via educational opportunities to evaluate quality of information available
1.8.2 Establish and develop educational opportunities at the conference for successful Internet use
1.8.3 Continue to develop the website and PASNAP list serve to encourage networking opportunities for school nurses in Pennsylvania
Goal 2: ORGANIZATION; PASNAP WILL PROVIDE THE STRUCTURE AND LEADERSHIP FOR ADVANCING SCHOOL HEALTH IN PENNSYLVANIA.
2.1 Maintain an organizational structure that meets the needs of Pennsylvania's certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.
2.1.1 Revise the Constitution and By-Laws as necessary.
2.1.2 Define a membership structure that will serve the needs of the Organization.
2.1.2.1 Set membership dues at a level that will allow adequate funding of organization programs.
2.2 Remain an affiliate state of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).
2.2.1 Elect the State Director on a schedule consistent with NASN.
2.2.2 Provide financial assistance for the director to attend NASN board meetings.
2.3 Update organization procedures as needed.
2.3.1 Collaborate with other nursing organizations to review and revise the roles and standards of practice for certified school nurses and school nurse practitioners.
2.3.2 Ensure that the policies and procedures are consistent with the current scope and standards of school nursing practice and issue briefs and position statements set by school health nursing organizations.
2.4 PASNAP will be a fiscally stable organization.
2.4.1 Maintain in the treasury an amount equivalent to twenty-five percent of the yearly operating expenses.
2.4.2 Prepare an annual budget.
2.4.3 Plan annual and regional conferences that are self-supporting.
2.4.4 Seek grants or funds from the public and private sector to provide educational offerings and monies for special projects.
2.4.5 Solicit advertisements for the newsletter and web pages from vendors of school health supplies and school health education materials, to help defray to costs of their production.
2.4.6 Designate funds for public relations, including brochures and promotional materials, to foster our professional image.
2.4.7 Have annual tax forms prepared by a professional accountant.
2.4.8 Have accounts submitted for internal/external audits as specified by the Constitution and By-Laws.
2.4.9 Purchase insurance necessary to protect the financial stability of the organization.
2.4.9 Secure an "Event Cancellation" insurance policy for the annual PASNAP educational conference.
Goal 3: LEGISLATIVE: PASNAP WILL BE COGNIZANT OF AND PROMOTE SCHOOL HEALTH ISSUES THAT COULD IMPACT CERTIFIED SCHOOL NURSES AND SCHOOL NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
3.1 Increase visibility of certified school nurses with decision makers who affect school health and school nurses.
3.1.1 Sponsor the "Day on the Hill" activity to personally communicate with legislators.
3.1.2 Provide copies of the newsletter and web page address to legislators, government agencies, and other key stakeholders in school health.
3.2 Promote representation of school nurses on local, state, and national committees, coalitions, boards, and commissions.
3.2.1 Provide board members to represent and serve as liaisons for PASNAP on local, state, and national committees and coalitions. e.g. PANA, PSEA, PSAP, ANA, NASN.
3.3 Communicate relevant information to legislators, government agencies, and other stakeholders in school health issues.
3.3.1 Issue briefs on key legislative issues.
3.3.2 Disseminate information through the newsletter, list serve, and web page.
3.4 Provide opportunities for school nurses to learn legislative skills.
3.4.1 Continue to collaborate with PASNAP's legislative consultant on key issues.
3.4.2 Strive to collaborate with legislators to introduce legislation that will enhance the practice of school nursing for the health and welfare of children.
3.5 Advocate for school health and related issues on the state and local levels.
3.5.1 Provide input to the Board of Education regarding certification criteria.
3.5.2 Collaborate with the Departments of Education and Health in review of state certification requirements that reflect the unique abilities of the certified school nurse and school nurse practitioner.
Goal 4: PASNAP WILL PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY OF SCHOOL NURSING.
4.1 Continue to promote certified school nursing as a professional nursing specialty and PASNAP as the certified school nurse organization in Pennsylvania.
4.1.1 Continue to develop and disseminate brochures and promotional items.
4.1.2 Prepare articles for publication in the PASNAP newsletter, on the web page, local newspapers, and public media.
4.2 Promote awareness of the role of the certified school nurse, school nurse practitioner and the scope of the school health services.
Goal 5: PASNAP WILL MOVE TOWARD ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
5.1.1 The Examiner will be published electronically.
5.1.2 The BOD will use the Internet, email and Ning to share information.
5.1.3 Conference material will be shared electronically.
5.1.4 Efforts will be made to recycle at the conference and other PASNAP meetings.
