HANDS HELPING HANDS

Make plans now to join us for this very special WVASN Fall Conference.  Get a chance to meet NASN’s President, Donna Mazyck RN.  She will tell us how NASN can lend a big helping hand as we work together to keep West Virginia’s children healthy.  We want to give Donna a big West Virginia Welcome!

Wednesday evening we will get ideas from Mick Bates on ways to lend a hand to our students to prevent childhood obesity and the health problems that go along with being overweight.  Lunch will be provided with an energizing luncheon program. Thursday afternoon we will have three hours of exciting Round Table discussions.  These table discussions will be facilitated by experts in STD Prevention, Dental Emergencies, Nutrition, Possible Unification with NASN, Health Check Prevention Screenings, Documentation in the Computer Age and other exciting topics yet to be announced.  This is networking at its best.  We will honor our WV School Nurse of the Year and the other distinguished nominees at a special annual banquet and you will have time to watch the WVU/Louisville Football Game.

You don’t want to miss Friday’s WVASN Business Meeting.  We have important issues to discuss about the future of school nursing in West Virginia.  Make your hotel reservations early.  Because of the Thursday night football game, there will be no rooms available after October 8.  See you there!

MEMBERSHIP IN WVASN

Remember to include your membership fee when you register for the conference.  This will pay your membership through December 31, 2008.  If you are not able to attend the conference, fill out the information part of the registration form, or print out a membership form from www.wvasn.com, and send it with your membership check ($25.00 for active members) to WVASN Membership Chairwoman:

Rhonda Tabit RN

100 Goddard Ave.

Fayetteville, WV 25840

This will be an important year for all school nurses and the West Virginia Association of School Nurses is the only Association that is dedicated 100% to supporting and advocating for school nurses and the students we serve.  We need every West Virginia school nurse to be a part of this vital mission.

You may print out the Conference Registration and send it via postal mail to the address specified on the form.

THE 2007 WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL NURSE OF THE YEAR

CONGRATULATIONS CONNIE HARPER RN, BSN, MSN

Connie Harper RN, BSN, MSN has been selected as the 2007 West Virginia School Nurse of the Year. Selected from a field of distinguished candidates, Connie is the only school nurse in Clay County. She is responsible for the health of all 2,000 students in preschool through the 12 th grade.

Health issues addressed by school nurse Connie Harper include acute and chronic health conditions that have an impact on students as they attend school. Described by nursing colleagues as “highly respected for her leadership, coordination and health promotion”, Harper has been instrumental in using her superb skills and excellent rapport in a manner that is sensitive to the health needs and education of her students. She has been instrumental in leading the establishment of School Based Wellness Centers in three Clay County Schools. She initiated the “Pathways to Wellness” program and serves as program coordinator and has recruited worksite coordinators for area schools. Harper was chosen 2005 Regional Worksite Coordinator of the Year.

Active in various community organizations, Connie Harper has served as member and president of the Clay County Department of Health Board of Directors. Her collaboration with Clay Primary Care, Shawnee Hills Mental Health Center and the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health resulted in her being interviewed for the publication, ALTERED DESTINIES, Making Life Better for School Children in Need, by Gene I. Maeroff. Harper was chosen as “Clay County’s Special Person” in 2002 by the Clay Family Resource Network in recognition of her participation and efforts to acquire a fitness center and establish an after school program called “Focus on Kids.”

Professional associations in nursing have benefited from Connie Harper’s expertise and willingness to serve on state committees to advance school nursing. A long time member of the West Virginia Association of School Nurses, Connie has served on a number of committees and is currently completing her second term as WVASN Board Secretary. She has also been a long time member of the National Association of School Nurses. She has represented RESA III on the West Virginia School Nurse Council, serving in the capacity of representative and the office of secretary. Harper has actively participated in mentorship for beginning school nurses and nursing students. She has served as a preceptor for nursing students from West Virginia Institute of Technology, Glenville State College and West Virginia University.

WVASN will honor Connie as the 2007 WV School Nurse of the Year at the fall conference and will submit her application to NASN for consideration for the National School Nurse of the Year.

Other distinguished nominees for this award were Kathryn Verzich from Grant County, Kristin Stover from Jackson County and Carol Schultz from Upshur County. These outstanding school nurses will also be recognized at this year’s fall conference.