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Missouri Association of School Nurses

Home2026 Fall Workshop
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8:30 - 9:30 AM
School Health and the Law
Matthew Graham, JD
Missouri School Board Association- Legal Counsel

School nurses will gain practical insight into the current laws, regulations, and legal standards that shape school health practice in Missouri. The presentation will highlight recent legislative changes and key legal considerations related to emergency response, medication administration, chronic health conditions, student records and privacy, consent, and delegation—helping nurses apply these requirements confidently in everyday school health practice.
School Health and the Law
9:30 - 9:35 
Break
9:35 - 10:35 AM 

The Essential Toolkit for School Nurses: POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS 

Nicholette Riddle, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN, Monika Christiansen, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN, NCSN, and Samantha Funke, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN 
Illinois Association of School Nurses

In recent years, school nurses have seen an increase in the number of students who have been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). These conditions are often difficult to diagnose, causing delays in treatment that adversely impact quality of life. This Essential Toolkit was developed in response to the lack of resources available to manage POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS in the school setting and aimed to provide a continuing education resource for school nurses. Tools include educational materials for the school nurse to expand their knowledge and to present to fellow school nurses, administrators, staff, parents, and students, increasing awareness of these conditions. The Toolkit also includes IHP/Response Plan templates, an accommodations guide, a one-page Quick Reference sheet, a visual symptoms chart, and educational handouts for parents. The Toolkit will be presented to a group of school nurses during an Illinois Association of School Nurses Town Hall on November 20th, 2025. We hypothesize that this toolkit will enable school nurses to feel more prepared to manage and respond to students with these conditions, advocate for students with hidden disabilities, and care for their complex health needs. We hope that this Toolkit will be used by school nurses to improve access to education for students with hidden disabilities, thereby improving their quality of life and enabling them to reach their full potential.
The Essential Toolkit for School Nurses: POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS- Presentation 
The Essential Toolkit for School Nurses: POTS, FND, PNES, and hEDS- Toolkit Website 
10:35 - 10:40 AM
Break
10:40 - 11:40 AM
Supporting Pregnant and Lactating Students: The School Nurse’s Role
Christian Bertel, MSN, RN, NCSN
Hazelwood School District

School nurses play an essential role in supporting all students, particularly those navigating complex health circumstances. Pregnant and parenting students may face unique health, educational, and social barriers. School nurses must be prepared to provide informed, compassionate support to pregnant and lactating students, including those who need to express breast milk during the school day.
Supporting Pregnant and Lactating Students
Health Care Plan for Postpartum Student
Health Care Plan for Pregnant Student
11:40 - 11:45 AM
Break
11:45 - 12:45 PM
Oh Snap - That Might Be Broken
Denise Brewster, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC
Children's Mercy Hospital

Injuries that occur during the school day are stressful for everyone involved. It is helpful for the school nurse to be able to identify serious injuries, stabilize the patient and provide supportive care until they can be transported to a health care facility, and identify appropriate modifications on return to school.
Oh Snap That Might be Broken
12:45 - 1:00 PM
Discussion & Evaluation
Workshop Evaluation
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Matthew Graham, JD

Missouri School Board Association

Legal Counsel


Matthew earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri–Columbia School of Law, where he worked with the Midwest Innocence Project through Mizzou's Innocence Clinic, served as a Dean's Fellow, and published research in the Journal of Dispute Resolution. He also gained legal experience with the Missouri Attorney General's Office and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Nicholette Riddle, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN

School Nurse

Illinois Association of School Nurses



Nicholette Riddle received a BSN from Elmhurst College, completed her Professional Educator License with an endorsement in school nursing at Illinois State University, and earned a MSN from Lewis University. Nicholette is currently working as a Certified School Nurse at West Aurora School District 129 in Aurora, Illinois.

Monika Christiansen, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN, NCSN

School Nurse

Illinois Association of School Nurses

Monika Christiansen MSN, RN, IL PEL-SN, NCSN started her nursing career in critical care where she developed a strong foundation for compassionate, patient-centered practice. She has been practicing as a certified school nurse for the past 5 years and believes in a holistic approach in caring for students' needs.

Samantha Schneider, MSN, RN, IL PEL-CSN

School Nurse

Illinois Association of School Nurses



Sammy Schneider has worked as a school nurse since the start of her nursing career in 2017. She started out as a building nurse at Homer Junior High School and quickly fell in love with the school nursing profession. It was in her 2nd year as a building nurse, and with a loving push from the district certified school nurse, that she pursued her Professional Educator's License courses in school nursing at Lewis University. After almost 3 years at Homer Junior High School, Sammy started working as a certified school nurse in Plainfield School District 202 in August 2020, working with grades K-12, throughout her almost 6 years in District 202.

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Christian Bertel, MSN, BSN, RN, NCSN

Coordinator of Health Services

Hazelwood School District



Christian is the Coordinator of Health Services for the Hazelwood School District in North St. Louis County, Missouri. With more than 28 years of nursing experience, including 17 years as an elementary school nurse and a decade in district nursing leadership, Christian brings both frontline and administrative perspectives to school health practice. She earned her MSN in School Nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing and became a National Certified School Nurse in 2024.

Denise Brewster DNP, RN, CPNP-PC

Mercy Children's Hospital-KC



Denise has been a Pediatric Nurse for 35 years and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Children's Mercy and in the Kansas City area for 28 years. She has specialized in Orthopedics for the past 12 years after several years in Primary Care and Emergency Medicine. Denise has a particular interest in fracture care and pediatric spine conditions.