SNOM Announcements

  • Registration is now open for fall SNOM conference 2024

    Registration is now open for the fall SNOM conference. These days are a great way to get energized and encouraged about what we do as school nurses. It is also a great way to meet others and know that we aren't alone in this profession.

    This year we are hosting the conference at a new hotel, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West off of 494 and Highway 55. There is an attendee discount to stay at the hotel. The amenities at the hotel include walking/running trails, spa, workout area and more. Hope to see you there!

    Here is the link to register: https://snom2024.eventbrite.com

  • Minnesota School Nurse Workforce: A 2022 Snapshot Technical Report of Data

    School Health Data and Reports

    The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the health and wellbeing of students, families, school nurses and educators.  The inequities in health and education for students that existed prior to the pandemic are now overwhelming school health resources, specifically the school nursing workforce. To better understand and inform what is needed to respond to these increasing needs, our collaboration * collected and analyzed school nursing workforce data and student data from the Minnesota Student Survey.

    The resources, analyses, and tools emerging from this collaboration were designed to help school nurses, school leaders, parents, and policy leaders make the case for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes increased investments in the school health workforce that will better support student health and education outcomes.

    Minnesota School Nurse Workforce: A 2022 Snapshot Technical Report of Data (PDF) is a technical report of data specifically focused on the school nurse workforce data, key findings, and recommendations from this collaborative work.

    *The collaboration included the Minnesota Department of Health Adolescent and School Health Unit, University of Minnesota’s Healthy Youth Development * Prevention Research Center, the School Nursing Organization of Minnesota, Minnesota Service Cooperatives, BrightWorks Educational Cooperative, and the Minnesota Department of Education.

  • Save the Date: Foundations for the Specialty Practice of School Nursing conference Aug 6-7

    Save the Date:
    The Foundations for the Specialty Practice of School Nursing conference (formerly referred to as school nurse orientation) is scheduled for August 6-7, 2024 at Brightworks Anderson Center, Arden Hills MN. This conference provides foundational information for Registered Nurses who are within the first 5 years of practice. MDH Hearing and Vision training will be held at the same location on Aug 8. Full brochure and registration link will be sent out by May 1. 
  • SAVE the date

    Save the date for SNOM Fall Conference 2024. The dates will be November 1st and 2nd. This is a great way to earn CEUs and network with fellow nurses.

  • New Advocacy Materials

    Check out the new Advocacy materials under the Advocacy tab. The new areas are labeled Advocacy Tools and Information and Influence in School Nursing.

  • SNOM 2023 School Nurse Administrator of the Year Danae Bachtle, RN, BSN, PHN, LSN, NCSN

    SNOM 2023 School Nurse Administrator of the Year

    Danae Bachtle, RN, BSN, PHN, LSN, NCSN

    The School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM) is pleased to announce Danae Bachtle, BSN, RN, PHN, LSN, NCSN, District Licensed School Nurse of Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) as the 2023 School Nurse Administrator of the Year. This honor recognizes one Licensed School Nurse annually who emulates the profession of School Nurses and demonstrates excellence in school nursing practice and administrative leadership in school health. Nominated by her peers, Danae is most worthy of this honor, as evidenced by her outstanding school nursing practice.

    Danae started her health career as a CPR and First Aid instructor with the American Heart Association in high school and has been teaching for over 17 years. Danae earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from The College of St. Scholastica. Danae has committed the last 12 years as a nurse to Lakeville Area Schools where she is a Lead District Licensed School Nurse.

    With a love of educating others and a desire to improve school nursing practice, Danae is currently working on her Master’s in Nursing Education. In 2022, Danae was awarded the Helen Keller Sight Award which is given to honor those who have distinguished themselves on behalf of sight, and who see and care for the needs of those less fortunate than themselves.

    Licensed School Nurses provide hearing and vision screenings, write individualized health plans, manage students with diabetes, food allergies, asthma attacks, concussions, fractures, seizures, lacerations and much more. School nurses bring a monumental amount of value to student health and safety.

    Danae is also a Nationally Certified School Nurse. The NBCSN exam is a rigorous exam and credentialing sets the professional standard for school nursing. Fewer than 10% of all school nurses hold this credential.

    Danae has a desire to continue the betterment of school health services. As a healthcare professional, Danae states, “one of my main objectives in our district is to be an advocate for every student to ensure that they are able to perform in school to their highest ability and achieve the goals set before them. This requires a healthy environment, focusing on the well-being of each individual student with a professional healthcare team, and an administration that sees the important role school nurses play in the community.”

    “Danae is a special person. Not only is she a gifted practitioner, but she also utilizes her knowledge and skills to improve systems and raise standards for school health services” stated Renae Ouillette, Retired LAS Executive Director of Student Services. Principal Bret Domstrand states, “I wish I could replicate her for other school districts.”

  • MINNESOTA’S 2023 SCHOOL NURSE OF THE YEAR JOLIE HOLLAND, RN LSN PHN BSN BA

    MINNESOTA’S 2023 SCHOOL NURSE OF THE YEAR

    JOLIE HOLLAND, RN LSN PHN BSN BA

    The School Nurse Organization of Minnesota (SNOM) is pleased to announce Jolie J. Holland, RN LSN PHN BA BSN, District School Nurse for the MAWSECO Special Education Cooperative (ISD 0938), as Minnesota’s School Nurse of the Year! This award publicly recognizes school nurses in Minnesota by annually honoring one school nurse who demonstrated excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health.

    Jolie has worked as an ICU/CCU nurse in Huntington Beach CA and St. Cloud Hospital MN, a Childbirth Educator, Domestic Violence instructor and a Chemical Dependency nurse. With encouragement from her mother, Evie Holland, one of the first Licensed School Nurses in the area, she became the district school nurse at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted in 2006 and later added MAWSECO Special Ed Coop to her list. She cared for students from 3 years to 21 years old for 18 years, retiring in 2023. She is now the district LSN at MAWSECO. She has served as the Legislative Chair of the SNOM Legislative Committee for many years and worked tirelessly to advocate for her vision that EVERY student in Minnesota has access to a Licensed School Nurse! She has testified numerous times before MN House and Senate committees for a variety of issues and, through SNOM, has worked to have bills enacted such as the Medication Destruction Bill, One School One Nurse to replace the outdated 1986 law, a permanent LSN at the Minnesota of Education, and to relay the message that half of mental health is HEALTH! School nurses are also trained in mental health, medications, drug side effects, and contributing factors to mental health issues. They bridge the gap for students between education and health. WCCO, KSTP, and the Star Tribune have also featured her on school nursing issues.

    Brad Sellner, the former Superintendent of HLWW, writes, “Having been in education for 30 years, 20 in which I served as a school administrator, I have heard from many of my colleagues about the amazing work of their school nurse. So, knowing that, I will start with a thank you to all school nurses. However, in my mind, there is one school nurse that rises to the top of the list when it comes to dedication, compassion, knowledge, and passion for the work of the position of a school nurse. That nurse is Jolie Holland.”

    Melissa Hanson, the Executive Director at MAWSECO, states, “Jolie’s impact on the field of school nursing extends well beyond the borders of the HLWW District and MAWSECO. As the Chair of the SNOM Legislative Committee for the past several years, Jolie’s persistent approach to this work has gotten us closer to being able to guarantee licensed school nurses are present in all school districts, regardless of the size of the student population. It goes without question that Jolie has made significant contributions to the field of school nursing. She is giving of her knowledge, experience, and time to mentor and support fellow school nurses and those she supervises and displays a passion for improving access to medical services and educational materials for families, students, and staff that is inspirational to those around her. Jolie has set an example in how to give back and serve others in the field through her dedicated professional organization involvement. She is highly regarded by her colleagues, as well as others she interacts with including parents, educational staff, and administrators for her leadership and service.”

    Many students will remember her for her cups of special tea and hot chocolate…when they could take a break from a stressful day to relax in the recliner in her office to discuss problems and work with counseling staff to support them. The joys of her life are her two daughters, Sirena & Raquel, as well as Isabelle Norsk, her equine family member pictured above, and her dear friends who give such loving support.