Since 2003, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has designated the Wednesday of every National Nurses Week as National School Nurse Day. That means that today, May 9, is a day of celebration and recognition of our school nurses! Nurses play a huge part in educating students, staff, and parents. They handle day-to-day care, medical emergencies, and serve as an example of health-conscious living. Nurses rarely have the luxury of an off-day because illness and injury don’t observe holidays, so let’s all take this opportunity to celebrate our nurses today!

What better way to celebrate than with an award? Today, we planned to recognize the inaugural ASHE (Achievement in School Health Excellence) Award recipient, a first runner-up, and eight finalists.  However, we made a last-minute decision to surprise the winner at their school, so we can’t make the reveal just yet! 

Remember, the recipient will receive a $2,000 grant for his or her school health center and a personalized plaque. An iPad will go to the first runner-up and each of the remaining finalists will get $100 gift cards. For now, please join us in congratulating our 2012 first runner-up, Carolyn Rein for a job well done.

RECIPIENT: Slight change of plans…we’re going to present the award in-person by the end of next week!

Don’t miss your chance to honor your nurses today with a reception, lunch, a card, or any of the celebration suggestions from the ANA. Your school nurses put others first every day, so let them know their hard work is appreciated.