🎙️ School Nurse Huddle – Episode 10
Title: From the First Huddle to Now: Season 1 Reflections & What’s Next
In this special Season 1 finale, host Lisell Zuñiga, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, reflects on how The School Nurse Huddle grew from a late-night idea into a platform for connection, advocacy, and leadership among school nurses across Illinois and beyond. 💙
Join Lisell as she revisits memorable moments from Season 1 — from redefining the nurse’s office and strengthening advocacy efforts, to building partnerships with principals and celebrating the creativity and resilience of school nurses. Hear listener highlights, favorite quotes, and reflections on how these conversations have shaped a growing community of support and inspiration.
Plus, get a sneak peek at Season 2, where the huddle expands to include teachers, administrators, families, and community partners — because when the whole school community comes together, everyone thrives. 🌟
🎧 Tune in, reflect, and celebrate the incredible impact of school nurses everywhere.
💬 Don’t forget to follow Lisell on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook — @SchoolNurseAdmin — for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more inspiration between seasons!
#SchoolNurseHuddle #SchoolNurseLeadership #PublicHealth #SeasonFinale #PodcastForNurses #SchoolNurseAdmin
Launching a little later than planned—but better late than never! 💙
People think school nurses get the whole summer off… but we know the truth. From camp nursing and PRN shifts to tutoring, teaching, travel gigs, and even mission trips, school nurses stay busy beyond the bell.
Joining me are two inspiring guests and dear friends:
🌟 Araceli Orozco – 2025 NBCSN President’s Award honoree for her work in equity and diversity in school nursing.
🌟 Maricela Lares – 2025 Emerging Nurse Leader: 40 Under 40 with the Illinois Nurses Foundation.
Together, we bust the “summer off” myth, share creative hustles, and talk about why summer gigs matter—for our growth, our students, and our communities.
🌍 Special shoutout to our listeners in 11 countries—thank you for making this Huddle global!
💻 Don’t forget to check out https://panadzign.com/ —the creative mind behind our web and graphic design.
#SchoolNurseHuddle #SchoolNurseLife #NursePodcast #BeyondTheBell #SummerGigs #NurseLeadership #NursingHustle #NurseLife #SchoolNurseStrong #NurseAdvocate #HealthcareLeaders #NursingPodcast #LatinaRN #SchoolNurseHuddle #SchoolNurseAdmin #Panadzign
In this episode of the School Nurse Huddle, host Lisell Zuniga discusses the vital role of school nursing, highlights collaboration with the Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue Foundation, and shares insights from the NASN 2025 Conference. The conversation emphasizes the importance of advocacy, community engagement, and the evolving role of school nurses as leaders in healthcare and education.The mission of Asthma and Allergy Impact and Rescue (AAIR) is to see all children rescued at school, healthy at home, and connected to care. Register for AAIR's inaugural summit, to be held August 24-26th, 2025, at the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva, WI. Link to register https://aair.smallconferences.com/
In this special solo episode, host Lisell Zuñiga—school nurse turned administrator and President-Elect of the Association of School Nurses—dives into one of the most impactful dynamics in school health: the partnership between school nurses and administrators.
Fresh off a presentation at the Illinois State Board of Education Conference and inspired by a listener request, Lisell explores how collaboration, communication, and shared goals can transform school wellness.
💡 In this episode, you'll learn how to:
Whether you’re multitasking in your clinic, relaxing during summer break, or gearing up for the next school year—this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiring reflections to elevate your work.
🎯 Grab a pen, hit play, and get ready to take your nurse-admin partnership to the next level!
In this powerful episode of the School Nurse Huddle, host Lisell Zuñiga chats with Caroline Werenskjold, MPH, Senior Program Manager for Immunizations at ICAAP, to explore the brand-new Illinois School Immunization Toolkit — a must-have resource for school nurses and leaders!
Join us as we dive into:
Why immunizations and annual physicals matter
What’s inside the toolkit and how to use it
How to improve outreach to families and staff
Using data dashboards to guide action
Vaccine myths vs. facts
Plus, we wrap it up with a fun round of “What’s in Your Purse?” for a peek behind the scenes!
Resources Mentioned:
Illinois Vaccination Coverage Dashboard
ICAAP Immunization Toolkit
Ready-to-use flyers, letters, and outreach tools
Tune in now and get equipped to build healthier schools — one vaccine at a time!
In this powerful and affirming episode of School Nurse Huddle, host Lisell Zuñiga is joined by the inspirational Robin Cogan—better known as The Relentless School Nurse. Together, they dive into what it really means for school nurses to step fully into their leadership power by embracing the title of Chief Wellness Officer.
Robin walks us through her transformative blog post, "5 Steps to Claim the Title of Chief Wellness Officer in Your Schools," offering tangible steps for school nurses to recognize, own, and amplify their impact in educational communities. From building strong relationships to boldly showcasing expertise and advocating for the profession, this conversation is a rallying cry for nurses ready to lead with intention.
You’ll also hear a heartfelt reflection on mentorship, the importance of storytelling, and a fun segment called What’s in Your Purse? that brings a personal twist to Robin’s professional powerhouse status.
Whether you’re new to school nursing or a seasoned leader, this episode will leave you inspired to claim your title and lead wellness-centered change in your school.
Read the blog post that inspired this episode:
5 Steps to Claim the Title of Chief Wellness Officer in Your Schools
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a comment on Spotify—and follow Lisell on social media @TheSchoolNurseAdmin.
In this powerful episode, Lisell reconnects with the inspiring Nurse Clara Bruno—an early childhood school nurse who’s also making waves as a school board president! From the health office to the boardroom, Clara is proof that school nurses can lead change at every level.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
✅ How Nurse Clara’s journey led her from early childhood nursing to school board leadership
✅ The unique perspective school nurses bring to educational decision-making
✅ Why school nurses must advocate at the policy level—especially during critical funding moments
✅ How integrating student health and wellness improves academic outcomes
✅ Ways to overcome self-doubt and lean into leadership as a school nurse
✅ Fun, personal moments with Clara in the fan-favorite “What’s in Your Purse?” segment!
We want to hear from you! Please leave a comment or review to share your thoughts on this episode. Let us know what topics you'd like to hear on this podcast—made just for you!🔔 Don't forget to click the bell to receive notifications when a new episode drops!
Don't miss this energizing conversation filled with heart, humor, and the power of school nurse leadership.
Follow and share with fellow school nurses and advocates!
🔗 Connect with us:📸 Instagram: @SchoolNurseAdmin🎵 TikTok: @SchoolNurseAdmin📘 Facebook: TheSchoolNurseAdminLet’s keep leading the charge together!
In this episode of the School Nurse Huddle, host Lisell Zuñiga sits down with the incredible Dr. Eileen Moss, President of the Illinois Association of School Nurses. Dr. Moss dives into the transformative power of advocacy and policy change in school nursing—not just in Illinois but across state lines.
They break down the impact of the School Nurse Capacity Bill and how data-driven advocacy is helping secure funding, establish nurse-to-student ratios, and improve school health services. Dr. Moss also shares insights from Minnesota’s successful model and gives an exclusive sneak peek into her upcoming presentation at NASN 2025 in Austin, Texas.
💡 Key Takeaways:
✔️ The role of advocacy in shaping school nursing policy
✔️ How data-driven approaches improve student health outcomes
✔️ The future of school nursing and the impact of the School Nurse Capacity Study
✨ Don’t miss this powerful conversation about the future of school nursing and how YOU can be part of the change!
🔔 Follow Lisell on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @SchoolNurseAdmin for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
In this powerful episode of the School Nurse Huddle, host Lisell Zuñiga sits down with the inspiring Gloria E. Barrera, a school nurse leader and policy advocate, to dive into the groundbreaking work behind the Illinois School Nurse Capacity Study.
Gloria shares her personal nursing journey—from her early calling to her influential role as the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) President—and the pivotal moments that led to launching a statewide initiative to address school nurse staffing disparities.
💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:
✅ The story behind the Illinois School Nurse Capacity Study and why it matters
✅ The challenges and victories of getting HB5601 off the ground
✅ How grassroots advocacy and strategic partnerships helped drive momentum
✅ Gloria’s vision for school nursing at the national level as she runs for NASN President-Elect
🎯 Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at the future of school nursing and the impact of policy-driven change.
👉 Follow and share with fellow school nurses and advocates!
📲 Stay connected: @SchoolNurseAdmin on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Connect with Gloria at GloriaBarrera.rn@gmail.com
🔊 Next episode: Dr. Eileen Moss joins us to explore the ongoing impact of the School Nurse Capacity Study and what’s next at NASN 2025!🎧 Tune in now and keep advocating, keep leading, and take care!
It’s finally here! In this exciting debut episode, Lisell Zuñiga—award-winning school nurse leader and fierce health advocate—opens up about her personal journey, from a hesitant flu vaccine nurse to a powerhouse in school health leadership. She’s getting real about the challenges, the wins, and the lessons learned along the way.
But that’s not all—this podcast is all about YOU! School nurses are the backbone of our schools, and Lisell is here to empower and unite the school nurse community. Expect candid conversations about leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and health equity. Whether you’re a new school nurse or a seasoned pro, this is your space to connect, grow, and make a difference.
Plus, Lisell starts the conversation on the groundbreaking Illinois bill HB5601 and why it could change the future of school nursing. You won’t want to miss it!
Tune in, get inspired, and let’s build a stronger school nurse community together!
I'm Lisell Zuñiga, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN, a leader in school health administration and advocate for student wellness. I oversee health services across 21 schools, fostering safe and healthy educational environments.
Join me on the School Nurse Huddle podcast, where we explore school nursing, community health, advocacy, leadership, growth, and school safety. Each episode features insightful conversations and expert advice, celebrating the vital role of school nurses in promoting student well-being. Whether you're experienced or new, tune in to connect, empower, and inspire your journey in school health. Let's grow together—one huddle at a time!
Stay connected by following me on social media:Linktree: the_school_nurse_admin
