New Jersey State School Nurses Association

As my term of office begins, let me express my humility as the new President of NJSSNA. This is a position that is facilitated by the dedication and commitment of a group of volunteer certified school nurses who give much to this organization and take it to the professional level for which we are respected. Our discussions incorporate the many facets of school nurse practice in New Jersey as we try to promote our profession while advocating for and protecting the health and safety of our students. We are employed full time, have family responsibilities and are active in our communities. The NJSSNA Executive Board is representative of the majority of counties in NJ. We travel, sometimes hours depending upon where we live, to monthly meetings held in Trenton at the NJEA Building to serve this association and ultimately the school age children of New Jersey.

New Executive Board members beginning their two year terms are: Maureen Leavy returning to the Board [Warren], Lorraine Borek [Essex], and Heidi Toth [Monmouth]. We look forward to their innovative ideas and to the contributions they will make to our association. If you are interested in becoming a change agent for school nursing consider joining the Executive Board. Please contact me or Past-President Marge Bush and advise us of your interest (our e mail addresses are located on this website under Executive Board). We are always seeking committee members to assist in all areas of responsibility. This is a good introduction to how the Association functions. Without your support our task is daunting.

As I begin my term as President, I look forward to expanding the visibility of our Executive Board Members and Officers by visiting County meetings; it is there, that we can learn of the unique needs in your area. By recognizing and putting names and faces together, we establish relationships that span our geographical distance. It is my hope that this will improve communication among our members. An ongoing focus of the President is the need to develop a strategic plan that will continue to bring this association into the future. A strategic plan identifies several issues pertaining to organization and function of our association as well as a method of prioritizing goals that have realistic and attainable objectives. Legislative and practice issues need to be continually addressed with a pro-active vigilance. These are the very issues that effect school children within our state.

NJSSNA IS about you and FOR you. So much may be accomplished with the varied resources available to us. Your help, your ideas, your leadership skills, your time and commitment are needed to improve school nursing in our state. Everyone has something positive to offer; the time is now to join in the work of this Association as we grow and strengthen our practice. Contact Marie Peppas or Judy Crocco and offer your expertise as they chair our Conference in March. Our monthly meetings are open to all NJSSNA members . Share a ride and spend an evening hearing what is happening now in school nursing in your state. You will make a difference, work collegially and enrich yourself and those who share this unique and rewarding profession of SCHOOL NURSING…making a difference in tomorrow's world one child at a time!

Sincerely,

Judith C. Mullane
President, NJSSNA