Nationally recognized school nursing expert to visit Mississippi Christian University School of Nursing
Janice Selekman, a nationally recognized author, speaker and expert in school nursing and professor emerita of nursing at the University of Delaware, is scheduled to visit the School of Nursing at Mississippi Christian University (MC) on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7.
Selekman has facilitated several school nurse certification preparation programs and is the editor of multiple editions of the widely used textbook, “School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text,” produced in cooperation with the National Association of School Nurses. The book won the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award in three categories.
During her visit, Selekman will meet with a local school nurse, have lunch with Mississippi school nurse champions in education, health and licensure, and lead school nurse certification preparation courses.
“Dr. Selekman’s visit provides an exceptional opportunity to highlight the essential contributions of school nurses and showcase school nursing as a vital healthcare specialty integral to the health, safety and academic success of Mississippi’s children,” said Estelle Watts, MC assistant professor of nursing.
“Mississippi Christian University is committed to becoming the premier educational destination for school nurses by providing pathways to bachelor’s degree completion, certification preparation and graduate education. These opportunities will help strengthen the school nursing workforce and improve health outcomes for students throughout Mississippi.”
Watts said the role of the school nurse is vital to ensuring healthcare access for Mississippi's students. They provide case management for children with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, seizure disorders and severe allergies, enabling students to remain healthy, safe and engaged in learning. School nurses also serve as the first line of response during medical emergencies, whether involving an individual student, a school, or a community crisis.
School nurses administer medications, promote health and wellness, monitor communicable diseases, ensure immunization compliance, and collaborate with families and healthcare providers to support student success. Data show that approximately 50 percent of the school nurse day is spent providing case management of students with chronic conditions including necessary procedures.
“Mississippi school nurses are committed to achieving the highest standards of professional practice through competency-based credentialing,” Watts said. “National certification demonstrates advanced knowledge and expertise while reinforcing the critical role of the school nurse as a healthcare leader within the educational setting.”
Selekman earned her BSN at the University of Pittsburgh and obtained her master’s and D.N.Sc. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She served as a pediatric staff nurse and clinical nurse specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before joining the University of Delaware faculty, where she chaired the Department of Nursing for about 10 years.
The author or coauthor of more than 100 articles on topics related to school health, Selekman helped develop Delaware’s school nurse certificate program. She has received the School Nurse Educator of the Year Award from NASN, the Excellence in Education Award from the Society of Pediatric Nurses and the Delaware Excellence in Nursing Practice Award.
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