National Nurses Week of 2026 will be celebrated from May 6 to May 12. This week is dedicated to honoring the vital contributions of nurses across the healthcare system. It begins on National Nurses Day and concludes on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, which is also recognized as International Nurses Day. The American Nurses Association has designated the theme for 2026 as “The Power of Nurses.” This theme emphasizes the significant impact and value that nurses bring to patient care and health transformation.
One of the unsung heroes of nursing is the school nurse, who plays a critical role in supporting students’ health, wellness, and academic success nationwide.
Two Celebration Ideas to recognize Schools Nurses. Organizations and communities are encouraged to recognize nurses through various appreciation activities, including:
• Personalized gifts and recognition events
• Community outreach programs to highlight nursing roles
Importance of the Week:
National Nurses Week serves as a reminder of the dedication, compassion, and expertise that nurses provide in every healthcare setting. It is an opportunity for healthcare organizations to foster a deeper appreciation for the school nursing profession.
This is why Rise Up San Antonio gives the “Who We Recommend” and “The Places We Like” achievement award to the Nursing Services of Northside Independent School District during National Nurses Week 2026, which helps improve the physical and mental health of each student in accordance with their personal needs.
This includes providing emergency care when indicated and attending to the child who becomes ill at school. The student is the ultimate reason why they are there, and benefits from the program through everyone’s continued effort. This requires cooperation with parents/guardians, appropriate community health agencies, teachers and their own administration. The nurses coordinate care with other school faculty and staff.
Business Innovators Magazine is featuring Nyla Chesser during National Nurses Week 2026.
Nyla Chesser became interested in nursing while working for the Health Department in Ft Worth, TX. She went on to earn her RN from the prestigious Texas Woman’s University and began her career as a clinical research coordinator in San Antonio, TX. supervising clinical research studies/trials in diabetes and glandular medicines for a major pharmaceutical company that ended up taking her to Dallas, Texas, to work for UT Southwestern, conducting clinical research trials. With her home in San Antonio and daughters still there, Nyla wanted to move back and immediately applied for a nursing position at Northside Independent School District, where she has worked for 13 years. Her role as a floating nurse places her in assignments at Elementary, Middle, and High schools. Nyla’s day begins at 5 am and can end at 5 pm, depending on where the Health Services Nursing Coordinator sends her.
- As an RN for NISD, Nyla has completed numerous continuing education certifications awarded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Continuing Education Service for Nursing Continuing Professional Development. NISD Registered Nurses must complete 20 CE credits every 2 years.
- Nyla has continued to receive superb evaluations from the Health Services Nursing Coordinator for the last 13 years.
These School Nurses serve as Caregiver | Advocate | Educator | Problem-Solver
They address critical healthcare needs, ensuring that students can thrive in the classroom and beyond. The challenges students face today—from chronic illnesses to mental health struggles—demand comprehensive, accessible care, which school nurses uniquely provide. With over 25% of students managing chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy, the presence of a school nurse ensures these children can thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
School nurses are responsible for the health of children, including, but not limited to:
- Assessing the severity of illness or injury in students.
- Distributing medications to students who are provided and approved by their parents and healthcare providers.
- Caring for students with chronic conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy/seizures, asthma, allergies/anaphylaxis, and others.
- Ensuring all students are up to date on their vaccinations/immunizations.
- Directing the provision of health services within the school.
- Screening students for vision, hearing, and other potential health issues.
- Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases.
- Connecting students and their families to relevant health resources.
- Providing mental health support to students in need.
- Collecting health data in schools to provide to local, State, and national officials.
- Promotion of overall school community health through education and wellness initiatives.
And of course, providing urgent, episodic care to students, including band-aids or ice packs to children with cuts, scrapes, and bruises.
Key Challenges Facing Students Nationwide.
- Health Disparities: In 2023, over 7.8 million children aged 6-18 lived in poverty, while 3.3 million students lacked health insurance, limiting their access to essential healthcare.
- Chronic Conditions: One in four students manages conditions like asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy. Without adequate health support, these conditions can hinder their learning and overall development.
- Mental Health Crisis: 23% of children aged 3–17 are diagnosed with behavioral or mental health conditions. School nurses are often the first to recognize and address these challenges, collaborating with school staff and external providers to support students’ emotional well-being.
- Chronic Absenteeism: Health-related factors contribute significantly to absenteeism, affecting academic success and widening the achievement gap, particularly among students of color and those in underserved communities.
The School Nurse Solution
School nurses have demonstrated profound benefits for students’ health and education.
School nurses address these challenges by ensuring students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. They provide direct care, manage chronic conditions, promote mental health, and coordinate with families and community resources to break down barriers to healthcare access.
The Value of Investment in School Nursing – Research underscores the tangible benefits of investing in school nursing services:
- Improved Academic Outcomes: Schools with full-time nurses see lower rates of absenteeism, higher graduation rates, and fewer illness-related early dismissals.
- Cost Savings: Every dollar spent on school nurses saves $2.20 in medical costs and lost productivity for parents and teachers. In urban districts, these savings can be as high as $1.67 per dollar spent.
- Time Savings for Educators: School nurses allow teachers and administrators to focus on education, saving up to two hours daily for school staff.
- Essential for Parents: 79% of parents say the presence of a school nurse would influence their decision when choosing a school for their child.
Northside Independent School District (NISD) employs over 170 nursing professionals, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). In addition to these nurses, the district is one of the largest in San Antonio.
The Nursing Services of Northside Independent School District is led by Merry Garcia, BSN, RN – Director of Health Services, Tara Dye, BSN, RN – Assistant Director of Health Services and Nancy Fox, BSN, RN – Health Services Nursing Coordinator. They have a staff of Registered Nurses and LVNs who are dedicated, unsung heroes of nursing in school nurse roles, playing a critical part in supporting students’ health, wellness, and academic success.
NISD Schools Ranked Among the BEST in Texas!
Dr John M. Craft, the Superintendent of Northside Independent School District, the 4th-largest in the State, oversees 102,000 students and 14,000 employees across 131 campuses. He remains committed to helping shape the future of public education and ensuring students are provided optimal opportunities to better prepare themselves to be successful young adults and our leaders of tomorrow.
Northside ISD has been recognized for academic excellence, with multiple campuses earning top honors in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. NISD has 83 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, 3 of which are our middle school magnet programs. NISD has 21 high schools, 8 of which are magnet schools. After reviewing 103,391 Texas Pre-K, elementary, and middle schools, NISD proudly has 14 elementary schools and 2 middle schools earning top awards for placing among the top 40% of schools in the State.
