The School Nurse Association of North Carolina (SNANC) was organized in 1992 to provide opportunity for school nurses to network with other school nurses, to obtain professional resources including continuing education and to advocate for quality school health services. The first statewide meeting was held in June, 1992 to elect officers and establish committees. The following year, regional groups formed to foster grassroots participation.
- SNANC's many activities include:
- Affiliation with National Association of School Nurses
- Affiliation with North Carolina Nurses Association
- Publication of a newsletter, School Nurse Advocate
- Presentation of "School Nurse of the Year Award"
- Presentation of "School Nurse Supervisor of the Year Award"
- Presentation of "Friend of School Health Award"
- Development, implementation and update of the Strategic Plan
- Promotion of the school nursing profession and the health of youth in collaboration with other organizations
- Co-sponsorship of the Annual School Nursing Conference
- Promotion of national certification
- Employment of a lobbyist (since 1998)
SNANC's legislative activity has resulted in positive growth for school nurses and school health.
Specific legislation includes:
- NC State Board of Education adopted policy requiring all newly LEA hired school nurses to be nationally certified with three years of being hired beginning 7-1-93.
- On 7-1-95, NC State Board of Education adopted policy entitled "Special Health Care Services" that requires each local school district to make a registered nurse available for assessment, care planning and on going evaluation of students with special health care needs.
- Beginning with the 1998-99 school year, certified school nurses employed by public schools are paid on the "G", master prepared teacher's schedule.
- NC State Board of Education adopted the "Healthy Active Children" Policy in January, 2003. It supports improved and increased physical activity for students and requires that each LEA has a School Health Advisory Board.
- In 2003 the NC General Assembly requested NC State Board of Education to conduct a formal study of school health needs. As a result, it recommended in February, 2004 expansion of school nursing services in order to reach a 1:750 best-practice ratio by the year 2014.
- In 2004 the NC General Assembly ratified a new budget to appropriate funds for a School Nurse Funding Initiative providing funds for 65 time-limited nurse positions over a two year period and 80 permanent school nurse positions. This increased the number of LEAs meeting the recommended ratio of 1:750 from ten in 2003-2004 to twenty-four in 2004-2005.
- The sum of $2,500,000 for 2005-2006 fiscal year and $2,500,000 for 2006-2007 fiscal year was appropriated for 50 new permanent school nurse positions. The nurses will participate in the School-Based Child and Family Team Initiative.