SF State hosts international school nurses gathering

For five days, SF State was the host to 130 nurses from 12 countries who were here to attend the 19th Biennial School Nurses International Conference. The goals of the July 24–28 meeting were to share best practice and research to help children to become healthy productive members of the global community.  SF State was a collaborating partner in the event with School Nurses International and the California School Nurses Organization.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “School Nurses Interacting within the Public Health Model to promote the Health of Children-Globally.” General sessions included talks on “Emerging Health Needs of Adolescents Around the World and the Role of School Health” and “Tipping the Balance: Safeguarding Children, Young People and Families.” A new session on “Sharing Our Volunteer Experiences” allowed participants to discuss unique experiences they have had when sharing their talents with those in need.

Conference Co-chair Lois Schultz Grant said, "School Nurses International provides a forum for nurses around the world working with school children to come together in a stimulating intellectual and happy environment to share their knowledge and understanding of the emotional, social, and physical needs of the school-aged child. It also allows us to see the similarities that we all share in helping children, regardless of our country of origin.”

The program also included posters, breakout sessions and a tour of UCSF Children’s Benioff Hospital. In addition, attendees enjoyed a bus tour of San Francisco, a Bay cruise, and a fashion event at a local retailer.

Grant said that comments from participants indicated the event had been a success.

“We had so many excellent speakers that each person took away something different. I feel I learned something from each participant,” she said.