2019 NASN Elections

Candidate Data and Statement of View

Secretary/Treasurer

Valerie L. Beshears, MSN, RN, NCSN

Current NASN Affiliate: Arkansas School Nurses Association (ASNA)

Major Clinical, Teaching, or Practice Area: Educator

Education: Walden University, Master in Nursing ‐ Leadership and Management, 2007; University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1995; Westark Community College, Associate of Applied Science – Nursing, 1990

Awards, Achievements, and Honors: National Content Expert Panel Item Reviewer – School Nurse Certification Exam, National Board for Certification of School Nurses, 2014; Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow, 2013; Epinephrine Resource School Nurse, National Association of School Nurses, 2013; Member of Sigma Theta Tau International – Phi Nu Chapter, 2012; Nationally Certified School Nurse, National Board for Certification of School Nurses, 2011; Charter Member of University of Arkansas Nursing Honor Society, Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, 1994

Employment: University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Instructor, January 2017: Clinical Instruction; Classroom Instruction; Lab Instruction; Advising; Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning Committee; Technology Support of Instruction Committee; Peer Review; Test Review; Textbook Review

Other Significant Positions Held: Adjunct Instructor, College of the Ouachitas, October 2015 – May 2017; Lead School Nurse, Fort Smith Schools, August 2008 – January 2017; School Nurse, Fort Smith Schools, August 1993 – May 2008

Present NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Board of Director, February 2016; NASN Research Strategic Committee, May 2016; NASN Endowment Fundraising Committee, May 2016

Past NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Financial Ethics Committee, June 2016 – May 2017; NASN Advocacy Strategic Committee, May 2015 – May 2016

Present NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: ASNA BOD, January 2010

Past NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: ASNA Past‐President, June 2014 – June 2016; ASNA President, June 2010 – June 2014; ASNA Regional Director, January 2010 – June 2010

Present Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA

Past Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: NA

Publications Significant to School Nursing:

National Association of School Nurses. (2017). Emergency use of stock albuterol in the school setting (Position Brief). Silver Springs, MD: Beshears, V., Mauter, E., Johansen, A., Minchella, L., & Miller, T.

Presentations Significant to School Nursing:

Beshears, V. (2016). Facebook, Twitter, and the 21st Century Framework for School Nurses. Presented at: Arkansas School Nurses Association Summer Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas

Beshears, V., (2016). Mental health assessment must be a priority for foster youth. Presented at: Offices of Senator Boozman, Senator Pryor and Representative Womack, Washington, DC

Beshears, V., Phyllis, E., & Haynie, K. (2014). Diabetes case management at school: A different approach – Poster Presentation. Presented at: National Association of School Nurses Summer Conference, San Antonio, TX

Beshears, V., Phyllis, E., & Haynie, K. (2013). Building a Bridge between ACH and the School Nurses. Presented at: Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR

Beshears, V., Phyllis, E., Haynie, K., Rice, D., Jones, C., & Wilborn, C. (2013). Diabetes management at school. Presented at: Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow, New Brunswick, NJ

Research Significant to School Nursing: NA

Statement of View:

Our biggest challenge as an organization over the next ten years will be to grow our membership, our partnerships with other national organizations and to clearly communicate our desire for all students to be happy, health and safe while at school. This will be accomplished by growing and using our voice, in our schools, in our communities, with State and Federal legislators.

We must advocate with our legislators. We need to make clear that our goal is healthy children. Many legislators have that goal too, but the cost seems to outweigh the goal. As nurses we must advocate for the children’s health and safety first. If we do, we will find more common ground with our legislators and be able to find solutions to problems where we have always been stopped because of funding.

We have to find a way to grow our membership and to engage all school nurses in the conversation about how to keep children safe and healthy. Our voice is louder with more people. We need to find alternative ways of providing information for younger nurses that may be used to short, concise, sound bites that are utilized in today’s social media. When we are able to get our younger nurses engaged and using their voice, challenges become less daunting because we are stronger when speaking together.

The National Association of School Nurses is not the only association that seeks the best for children while at school. There are other organizations with the same or similar goals. Collaborating with other organizations will provide more ideas, better use of available funds, and support from each other as we work together. Together we are stronger. We should actively seek these alliances and cultivate the relationship to make both organization stronger. Ultimately our goal is safe, happy, healthy children!

This Secretary/Treasurer candidate completed the Nominating Committee process.