WHO WE ARE

The New Hampshire School Nurses' Association functions because of the dedication of school nurses who volunteer to serve on committees. We hope you will consider joining one of our committees. As NHSNA Board and Committee members, we have the opportunity to define practice and serve as leaders for nurses in every school across our state.

Our organization:

• Organizes school nurse continuing education conferences.
• Works with legislators on laws that define and guide our practice at school.
• Serves as consultant for the Department of Education, the Board of Nursing, the NH School Boards Association, and members of the New Hampshire Senate and House of Representatives. 
• Mentors new school nurses through our School Nurse essentials workshops.

It is a privilege serving on the Board of NHSNA, as well as a wonderful opportunity for personal and professional growth. The things you learn by being a part of this group will enhance your knowledge and skills as you serve your school community.

Currently we have positions open and would be happy to discuss opportunities with NHSNA. Please email us at info@nhschoolnurses.org We would love to hear from you.

Historical Timeline of School Nursing in New Hampshire

The Early Era & Foundation (1919–1930s)

• 1919: Elizabeth Murphy becomes New Hampshire’s first school nurse (serving the city of Concord) and is appointed the Director of School Health Services in the Department of Education, a role she held until 1947. Under her leadership, smaller districts are united to hire full-time school nurses with salaries commensurate with teachers.

• 1921: Influenced by a high number of "physical rejects" during World War I, Murphy helps revise the Health and Sanitation Statutes under public school laws. These remain in effect until 1971.

• 1920s: Despite a decline in communicable diseases due to vaccines, the responsibilities of school nurses expand to cover vision/hearing screenings, nutrition, dental health, growth development, and care for handicapped children.

• 1934: The first available written record of NH school nurse meetings is taken by Secretary Zephryne E. Hasham, with Edna Smith presiding. Smith is considered the first president (then called "chairperson") of the NH School Nurses’ Association.

READ MORE HERE

1934 -- Edna Smith
1935 -- Marion Moynihan
1936 -- Lillian MacIntosh
1938 -- Elizabeth Davey
1939 -- Della Robbins
1940 -- Velma Gorman
1941 to 1945: War Years
1946 -- Marion Mellinger
1947 -- Ruth Whitcomb
1948 -- Ruth Whitcomb
1949 -- Ruth Whitcomb
1952 -- Hazel Bryant
1955 -- Mary Jones
1957 -- Mary Shea
1959 -- Constance Huss
1960 -- Ruth Langille
1961 -- Gladys Newhall
1962 -- Velma Gorman
1963 -- Doris Wiklund
1965 -- Ruth Whitcomb
1967 -- Marjorie Moore
1968 -- Betty Goff
1970 -- Priscilla Lord
1972 -- Helen White
1974 -- Wanda Schol

1976 -- Joyce Davison
1977 -- Caroline Kallgren
1978 -- Carol Countryman
1979 -- Marion Goodwin
1980 -- Jane Cummings
1982 -- Marilyn Noyes
1984 -- Martha Judson
1986 -- Joan deVillafane
1988 -- Barbara Ward
1990 -- Maura Kirk
1992 -- Beverly Hobbs
1994 -- Pat Marsh-Thorell
1995 -- Janet Sanborn
1996 -- Barbara Mahoney
1997 -- Beverly Taylor
1998 -- Ellen Zimmerman
2001 -- Martha Judson
2002 -- Barbara Pamboukes
2004 -- Gerri Harvey
2006 -- Linda Compton
2008 -- Laurie Fleming
2010 -- Pam Murphy
2012 -- Nancy Wells
2014 -- Harriet Davenport
2016 -- Linda Compton

2018 -- Kathy Barth
2020 - 2022 -- Paula MacKinnon
2022 - 2025 -- Laurie Fleming (3 years)
2025 - 2027 -- Pamela DiNapoli