Dear colleagues,

It is with great excitement and pride that I greet you as the new President of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO). Your membership demonstrates your commitment to school nursing and support for our professional organization. As I focus my thoughts on the year ahead and the work to be done, I reflect upon the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “We must become the change we want to see” (Gandhi).

The theme for my leadership for MSNO in 2009- 2010 is Voice, Vision, and Visibility- Honoring Our Own Power, inspired by words spoken by Sandi Delack in her NASN Presidential Inaugural Address (Delack, 2009). My vision is that MSNO will be a leader in advocacy for school health services and the essential voice influencing the lives, the education, and the well-being of children and adolescents of Massachusetts. My vision is that MSNO will be recognized and respected as the reliable and expert resource for school health services and school nursing. Through the projection of our voice, vision, and visibility my vision is that MSNO will help us honor our power, as school nurses.

Goals for MSNO will be to strengthen the core values of scholarship, excellence in nursing practice, integrity, collegiality, and professionalism. Our organizational mission is “to promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and promote the rights, interests and professional growth of our members. Members are encouraged to take an active stance in decisions directly impacting school nursing, especially in the legislative, economic, and educational arenas.” MSNO’s goal will be to share the vision for excellence in leadership in school health services, strengthen the voices of our membership, and promote the visibility of the essential role of school nurses in the educational and public health community.

MSNO will maintain and form new partnerships with local organizations and associations that ensure school health is represented when key stake holders address issue impacting school health services, children’s health care, or school nursing. MSNO will demonstrate leadership influencing policy and practice that support the health and safety of children and school communities. MSNO will support evidence based practice and school nurse participation in research that will improve the reliability and quality of school health data and practice and the professionalism and expertise of school nurses will be powerful and visible. MSNO will become the change we want to see.

Your membership will enhance your awareness of issues impacting school health services not only in your school but across the state or nation. You will learn the value of advocacy and being politically active, opening you up to a new scope of service and skills. Your membership will foster new friendships and networking opportunities with school nurses from nearby and afar. As a health care provider in the educational system, you will also be supported by the work of the MSNO board of directors, advocacy by the MSNO legislative team, communication via our online newsletter and constant contact emails, and education at professional development programs and meetings sponsored regionally or state wide.

The MSNO Board of Directors meets monthly in Wellesley and we welcome you to attend a meeting. Come, hear the discussion about issues impacting school nursing and our organization and be part of the decision making and planning. Please explore the MSNO website, where you will find the latest activities and information about the MSNO organization and communication about issues and events for school nurses. Please invite a friend or colleague to join MSNO, and consider participating actively toward the successes of MSNO.

Thank you again for your membership in MSNO.I invite you all to join me in supporting MSNO and school nurses across the State with promoting our voice, vision, and visibility, and honoring our own power.

Best wishes for a rewarding school year-

Mimi Stamer, BSN, MSN, PNP-BC
President, MSNO

REFERENCES:

Delack, S. (2009). Presidential Inaugural Address Vision, Voice, Visibility. The Journal of School Nursing, 25 (4), 252-255

Gandhi,M. http://quotationsbook.com/quote/5694/