Victoria College Hosts Nurses Conference

My daughter (Bess Burris) just graduated from the Victoria College Vocational Nurses program so I actually know a little about this! (congratulations, Bess!!)

Victoria College will host this week the 17th Annual Texas School Nurse Conference. The deadline to register is today. The event is from 8:20 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Thursday in the VC Health Sciences Center, Room 130. Sponsored by VC's Workforce and Continuing Education Department, Region III Service Center and the VISD School Health Services, the conference is for registered nurses who work in schools. Licensed vocational nurses or other school or pediatric health professionals may also be interested in attending. Conference topics are associated with some of the most important guiding principles of the Texas School Health Advisory Committee.

"This year's conference is focused on the accommodations school systems must make for children with special needs or who have food allergies," Marilyn Powell, coordinator of Allied Health Workforce and Continuing Education at VC told the Victoria Advocate.

Allergy specialist Dr. Robert Harvey will speak about identifying allergies or special needs in children.

Anita Wheeler, school nurse consultant from the Texas Department of State Health Services, will update participants on new policies such as the Texas Legislature's Food Allergy Policy.

Brenda O'Bannion, director of student support at Region III Education Service Center, will discuss addressing medical health plans and how that intersects with Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with how these requirements will impact the role of the school nurse.

Discussion on these topics will not only help school nurses improve the quality of care for school-age children by increasing their knowledge and skills, but also provide access to important information, research and resources.

A $60 registration fee includes conference materials and lunch. For more information, call Mary Pullin at Victoria College at 361-582-2412