A Holiday Message from the President of RICSNA

Hello and Happy Holidays to you all, 

While 2023 seems to be slipping away from us, I want to assure you that our organization is working on your behalf.  At our fall 2023 meeting, we proposed the name of our organization be changed from Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Teacher Association to Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Association. We will continue to advocate for teacher certification; we have not changed our position on this.  We want to recognize other certifications such as National Board Certification and other related certifications. We also proposed one category of membership for the registered professional nurse who is actively engaged in school nurse services, education or administration; full-time, part-time or as an active substitute.   

As our By-Laws were written, if you were not a Certified School Nurse “Teacher” you were not eligible to vote, chair committees, or hold executive board positions. The proposed changes all passed by a near unanimous vote.  This makes our organization much more inclusive and ready to meet the needs of all Rhode Island school nurses.  We needed to alow any member who has the time to give, to be able to become involved on committees, chair committees, and to become members of the executive committee. I am thankful for all of those members who attended and supported the proposed changes.  If you have time to give ~ please consider becoming more involved. 

We are also working with  RIDOH on a grant that we applied for and have been awarded.  This grant will provide paid membership to school nurse members and nonmembers for one year ( details to be worked out).  The grant will also be able to provide several in person quality educational offerings at little to no cost to school nurses. There are other components to the grant that, once finalized, will be shared with all school nurses in Rhode Island.

The 2024 legislative session begins in a few short weeks.  Our organization is looking forward to working with legislators on legislation that supports the health and wellness of all of our students.  We have a robust Legislative Committee,  however we may call upon each of you to support letter writing or in person support. 

As President, I continue to hope that more school nurses will join our organization and that members will take an active role on committees and eventually into the board and executive board. Without participation in these roles we will not be able to sustain our mission.  RICSNA is a specialty nursing organization for all school nurses throughout the state. We are the leading expert in school health services and we are dedicated to advancing the practice of school nursing and bring about a new level of professional support and advocacy.  There are many new opportunities for all of us because of the RIDOH grant and I look forward to sharing this information with all of you.  You can anticipate a Zoom meeting mid January to discuss more.  

In closing, I want to wish you all the love of family, a joyous holiday season filled with good health, peace and happiness and a renewed and refreshed nursing spirit. 

Warmest Regards, 

Michelle Iacoi, President of the Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Association