NMSNA Announcements

  • New Mexico School Nurses Association Award Requests for Nominations

    Happy New Year from the New Mexico School Nurses Association!

    Each year, NMSNA honors outstanding individuals who demonstrate excellence, professionalism, and dedication to the health of New Mexico’s students. We invite nominations for School Nurse Administrator of the Year, School Nurse of the Year, the Marlene McDowell Distinguished RN Service Award, and the Horizon Award recognizing an exceptional novice school nurse.

    We also welcome nominations for those who support student health beyond nursing roles, including the Recognition Award (for impactful projects) and the Community Service Award (for individuals or organizations promoting student health statewide).

    If you know a deserving school nurse or advocate, please consider submitting a nomination. All nomination forms are due by February 13, 2026. Help us shine a spotlight on the remarkable school nurses and partners making a difference across New Mexico. Thank you for supporting school nursing!

    Questions? Contact mandy.ross@cmsbears.org

    Community Service Award

    Recognition Award

    Marlene McDowell Award

    Horizon Award

    School Nurse of the Year Award

    School Nurse Administrator of the Year Award

  • NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

    New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 22 / December 9, 2025
    NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
    Public Hearing
     
    The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) gives notice on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, that it will conduct a public hearing for the following proposed rulemakings on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (MDT) in Mabry Hall, located in the Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.
     
    Amendment of 6.30.15 NMAC, Community Schools
    Repeal and Replace of 6.63.2 NMAC, Licensure for School Nurses, Grades Pre K-12
    Repeal and Replace of 6.64.10 NMAC, Competencies for Entry-Level Bilingual Education Teachers
     
    The PED will give a verbal summary statement, on record, at the hearing.
     
    The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public input on the proposed rulemakings.  Attendees who wish to provide public comments on the record will be given three minutes to make a statement concerning the proposed rulemaking. To submit written comments, please see the Public Comment section of this notice.
     
    Explanation of Purpose of Rulemaking, Summary of Text, and Statutory Authority
     
    6.30.15 NMAC, Community Schools 
     
    Explanation: Make updates based on amendments to the Community Schools Act, per SB387 from the 2025 Legislative Session and for the implementation of community school programs that reflect current practice.
     
    Summary: The proposed amendment would update definitions and provisions pertaining to community schools. It would incorporate the current community school key practices, implement requirements for community school strategic plans, and simplify provisions on the appointment and duties of the community school coordinator and the coalition for community schools.
     
    Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-32-1 et seq. NMSA 1978.
     
    6.63.2 NMAC, Licensure for School Nurses, Grades Pre K-12
     
    Explanation: Make updates based on changes to the School Personnel Act, per HB195 from the 2025 Legislative Session.
     
    Summary: The proposed rulemaking would restructure the school nurse licensure system to include three licensure levels. It would define provisions for obtaining a license, competencies for each licensure level, exigent circumstances for keeping a license past its allotted time period, and procedures for mentorship of level one school nurses.
     
    Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, 22-10A-8.2, 22-10A-10.1, 22-10A-11.11, 22-10A-17, and 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978.
     
    6.64.10 NMAC, Competencies for Entry-Level Bilingual Education Teachers
     
    Explanation: Update competency requirements for bilingual education teachers to align with current department practices and recommendations from the bilingual competencies workgroup.
     
    Summary: The proposed rulemaking would detail the testing and coursework requirements for beginning bilingual education teachers. It would also make changes to competency requirements to reflect tribal standards for tribal language proficiency and require teacher knowledge of translanguaging, theories of appropriately teaching heritage learners, oracy, biliteracy, and multiliteracies.
     
    Statutory Authority: Sections 9-24-8, 22-2-1, 22-2-2, and 22-10A-31 NMSA 1978.
     
    No technical information served as a basis for these proposed rule changes.
     
    Public Comment
     
    Interested parties may provide comments at the public hearing or may submit written comments by mail or e-mail.
     
    Mailing Address
    Policy and Legislative Affairs Division
    New Mexico Public Education Department
    300 Don Gaspar Avenue, Room 121
    Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
     
    E-Mail Address:
    Rule.Feedback@ped.nm.gov
     
    Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. (MDT) on Monday, January 12, 2026. The PED encourages early submission of written comments.
     
    Public Comment Period
     
    The public comment period is from Tuesday, December 9, 2025, to Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (MDT). The PED will review all feedback received during the public comment period and issue communication regarding a final decision of the proposed rulemaking at a later date.
     
    Copies of the proposed rule may be obtained from Denise Terrazas at (505) 470-5303 during regular business hours or may be accessed through the PED Policy and Legislative Affairs webpage titled, “Proposed Rules,” at http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/policy-innovation-measurement/rule-notification/.
     
    Individuals with disabilities who require the above information in an alternative format or need any form of auxiliary aid to attend or participate in the public hearing are asked to contact Denise Terrazas at (505) 470-5303 as soon as possible before the date set for the public hearing.  The PED requires at least 10 calendar days advance notice to provide any special accommodations requested.


    Note: When submitting feedback, we kindly request that you specify which rule(s) you are submitting feedback for. This is especially helpful when the Department is accepting feedback for multiple proposed rules at the same time. 
  • Call for Speakers

    Call for Speakers
  • SAVE THE DATE!

    Save the date for the New Mexico School Nurse Association 2026 Annual Conference
  • 🚨 Free School Nurse Training Opportunity! 🚨

    Calling all New Mexico school nurses! Join us in Pueblo, CO on October 3rd for a full-day, hands-on training hosted by Children’s Hospital Colorado.

    ✅ 9 essential school health topics
    ✅ 6.75 CE credits
    ✅ Free lunch & snacks
    ✅ Training supplies giveaway

    Let’s learn, connect, and empower rural school health together!
    🔗 Register here: School Nurse Clinical Education and Training - Pueblo
    📺 Watch a past training: Ft Morgan News Clip
    📚 Explore free resources: School Nurse Resources

    #SchoolNurseTraining #RuralHealth #NMSNA #ChildrensColorado #ContinuingEducation

  • 📣 Attention New Mexico School Nurses! 🩺

    The Martinez/Yazzie Action Plan survey is open — but only until August 27! This is a critical opportunity to advocate for funding and staffing for school nurses across the state. Your voice matters in shaping the future of student health services.

    ✅ Take the survey now: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8382439/Martinez-Yazzie-Action-Plan-Community-Survey

    Let’s make sure every school has the nursing support it needs. Please share widely and encourage others to participate!

    #SchoolNurses #NMSNA #MartinezYazzie #Advocacy #StudentHealth #NMEd

  • Immunization Webinar- Healthy Future: Back to Basics

  • School Nurse Academic Partnership Invitation to Research Presentation

    Invitation to join presentation on the SNAP research study June 10, 7:30pm at La Posta De Mesilla
  • Pediatric First Aid Course

    Details in attached flyer

  • School Nurse Salary Tiers and Minimums Legislation

    HB0195 – School Nurse Salary Tiers and Minimums has been signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. With great help and support from Sponsor Representative Joy Garratt, Sponsor Senator Natalie Figueroa, Government Relations: Linda Siegle and Gloria Doherty, New Mexico School Nurses Association members: Joshua Landry- Legislative Chair, Elizabeth Dickson, Myrna Barbee-Lee, Barbara Wheeler, Shawna Bailey – NMSNA President. Many more have helped at varying capacities to make this a reality.
    HB195 will put school nurses on a three-tiered pay licensure system mirroring teacher pay levels and annual stipend for national certification through state statute. School nursing compensation was previously unregulated and varied across the state. This pay parity will allow National Board School Nurses (NCSNs) to receive an annual stipend in addition to moving up to a Level Three licensure and pay for their certification and excellence in nursing practice. This is all in hopes of retaining and attracting professional nurses into school nursing practice ensuring student health and wellbeing.
    For bill details visit: