CNSNA School Health Conference
June 8-9, 2026, Kearney Holiday Inn
For up-to-date information, please visit:
https://sites.google.com/view/cnsna2026/home.
Agenda
Monday, June 8, 2026
5.75 Contact Hours
7-8:45 a.m.: Registration and Exhibitors
Free continental breakfast available for those staying at the hotel.
8:45-9 a.m.: Color Guard Presentation of the Flag, Pledge of Allegiance and Opening Announcements
9-11 a.m.: "Legal or Legal Substance Abuse Use Does Not Change Impact on Youth," Jay Martin
11-11:15 a.m.: Break/Exhibitors
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: "The Impact of Concussions on Vision," Dr. Will Ferguson
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch/Exhibitors
1:30-4 p.m.: "Take 5 Training," Sheila Palmquist
4-4:05 p.m.: End of day Announcements and Day 1 Evaluation
4:05-4:15 p.m.: Break/Exhibitors
4:15-5:15 p.m.: CNSNA Annual All Members Meeting
6-7:30 p.m.: Nurses Night Out at Axe Holes
7:30-8:30 p.m.: Social Hour at Jersey's Sports Bar and Grill
8:30-10:30 p.m.: Hospitality Room Open
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
5.75 Contact Hours
7-7:55 a.m.: Registration/Exhibitors
7:55-8 a.m.: Opening Announcements
8-9 a.m.: "Head to Toe," Wendy Wells
9:45-10 a.m.: Break/Exhibitors
10-12 noon: "Educational Law and School Health," Haleigh Carlson
12 noon-1 p.m.: Lunch/Exhibitors
1-2 p.m.: "Human Trafficking," Megan Reese
2-2:15 p.m.: Break/Exhibitors
2:15-3:15 p.m.: "Proper Nutrition in Athletes," Jessalyn Wilson
3:15 -3:20 p.m.: End of Conference Announcements and Day 2 Evaluation
3:20-3:50 p.m.: Planning Committee End of Conference Wrap Up Meeting
Conference Fees
Registration includes lunch for the days for which you paid, snacks and other associated fees.
CNSNA members
- Full two-day conference: $135
- One-day conference: $90
Non-members
- Full two-day conference: $180
- One-day conference: $130
School Health Staff Designees
This includes but is not limited to school staff members such as health assistants, health techs, CNAs, CMAs, administrative assistants and secretaries.
- Full two-day conference for CSNA member: $95
- One-day conference for CSNA member: $55
- Full two-day conference for non-member: $120
- One-day conference for non-member: $80
CNSNA Membership: Yes! You can join CNSNA even if you aren't a nurse. Please see the membership page for more information on how to join.
Nurse's Night Out
Anyone can attend! You don't have to be a nurse. CNSNA is covering part of the cost; your share is $20. Food and axe throwing fees are included in the cost; drinks will be paid on your own. More information can be found here: Nurses Night Out.
Written cancellations sent to Joslynne Stauss, conference chair, and received by May 25, 2026, will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations received after May 25, 2026 will not be refunded; however, a substitute participant will be accepted at the original cost.
This activity has been submitted to the Montana Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours. The Montana Nurses Association is accredited with distinction as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
For more information regarding contact hours, please call Joslynne Stauss.
Note: There will not be a virtual option for attendance.
Certificates for approved continuing education experiences are issued at the end of each day with verified attendance. Participants must sign in for each session. Evaluation forms need to be completed and submitted online for each morning and afternoon session attended. You will have a certificate for each day of this conference (2 certificates total). If you are more than 30 minutes late to a session, you will not receive a certificate for that segment of the conference. Credit will be awarded for attendance at 1 or more sessions commensurate with participation.
None of the planners or presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies.
Evaluation Forms will need to be completed no later than Friday, June 19, 2026.
Certificates will be sent to you via email after submission of evaluations and within 30 days after the conference concludes.
Please contact Joslynne Stauss at [email protected] if you are having trouble accessing your evaluations.
Jay Martin
School Safety and Security Director at the Nebraska Department of Education
Jay Martin returned to his home state of Nebraska after spending 24 years in Colorado and retiring from his law enforcement career. He developed partnerships with National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), human trafficking task forces, movie producers, authors, doctors in psychology, and he has ghost written on digital best practices. Also, during his tenure, he was a teacher in Omaha Public Schools and other districts in Nebraska and Colorado. He has spoken nationally on the topics of legalized marijuana and substance use awareness and digital citizenship awareness and wisdom. His career has been committed to educating school communities in developing a better culture and climate with youth.
Dr. Will Ferguson
Neuro-Optometrist and Owner of Heartland Eye Consultants
Dr. Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2005 and his doctor of optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in 2009. Upon graduation, he joined Heartland Eye Consultants in Omaha, where his practice is focused on binocular vision disorders, learning-related visual disorders, pediatric and sports vision, and vision disorders related to concussion and brain injury. He completed a fellowship with the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association in 2013 and has served as the president of the Nebraska Optometric Association as well as the Nebraska Foundation for Children’s Vision.
Sheila Palmquist
E-RYT500, RCYT, RPYT, Take 5 Program Developer, Founder/Director of the Lincoln Yoga Center/School, Organizer of Transforming Trauma Conference, and Retreat Leader in Belize, France and Costa Rica
Development of the Take 5 Behavior Program came out of a need Sheila was seeing while working in schools. The Take 5 tools are used by Boys Town, Cedars, Hope Spoke, schools, daycares, community outreach programs, and families.
Lincoln Yoga Center opened in August 2010, offering classes for all ages and abilities in addition to Yoga Teacher Certification for almost 200 students. Everyone can benefit from the stress-reducing effects of the practice.
Wendy Wells
DrPH, MSN, BS, RN Population Health/Leadership Instructor and Nursing Faculty at UNMC CON WND- Scottsbluff
Wendy Wells has been a population health and leadership nursing instructor with the University of Nebraska College of Nursing on the West Nebraska Division Scottsbluff Campus (UNMC CON WND) since 2001. She coordinates the interprofessional education components, the Scottsbluff Student Nurses’ Association counselor, and the Sigma counselor, the international nursing honor society. She is the education coordinator with the Nebraska Panhandle Area Health Education Center (NP-AHEC), whose mission is to recruit, retain, and support health professionals in rural areas. She spends time promoting health careers to various student groups. She was part of a team that received a nearly 2M CDC grant to develop a “School Health Nurse Scholar” curriculum. She recently received her DrPH in Emergency Preparedness. Helping the community prepare for disasters and emergencies is one of her passions.
Linda Anderson
Manager/Coordinator of the EHA Wellness Program
Linda Anderson manages the EHA Wellness Program, serving schools and education- related organizations throughout Nebraska. With more than 25 years of experience in the fitness and wellness field, she brings a comprehensive, evidence- informed approach to whole-person well- being. A former professor at Creighton University, Linda has a strong background in education and understands the unique demens faced by students, educators, and school communities. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500- hour level (RYT-500), with specialized certifications in prenatal yoga and yoga4cancer, allowing her to support individuals across a wide range of life stages and health experiences. Linda is passionate about creating accessible, sustainable wellness programs that foster resilience, movement, and mindful living within educational environments.
Haleigh Carlson
Partner Attorney at Perry Law Firm
With nearly a decade of experience advising school districts, Haleigh Carlson specializes in navigating complex legal issues related to students, particularly those with disabilities. She provides practical, effective guidance to school staff — including school nurses — who work closely with students and families to ensure compliance with legal requirements while fostering a supportive educational environment. Haleigh’s expertise helps school professionals confidently address legal challenges and protect the rights of both students and staff.
Megan Reese
PLMHP, Human Trafficking Prevention Project Director for Educational Service Unit #2
Jessalyn Wilson
Registered Dietition and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist/ Performance Nutrition Fellow for the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Athletic Department
Jessalyn Wilson specializes in sports performance for college athletes, currently serving at a Performance Nutrition Fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jessalyn personally attends to the nutrition needs of 46 tennis players, gymnasts, and rifle shooters. She strives to eliminate the nutrition-related barriers that exist for her athletes, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Jessalyn also has several years of experience working with athletes ages 4-17 as a dance instructor and dance camp counselor/director in Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Maryland. She understands and appreciates the unique nutrition needs for growing bodies and minds and believes in the power of evidence-based nutrition education for all ages. Her other work-related passions include women's health, eating disorder prevention and treatment, and REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) awareness.
An Illinois native, Jessalyn completed her bachelor and masters degrees at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin where she was a four-year member and captain of the competitive dance team. She resides in Lincoln with her cat, Fig.
A block of rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Kearney for a special rate of $139.95 (not including taxes and/or fees) for single or double occupancy on the nights of Sunday, June 7, and Monday, June 8.
Please call 308-237-5971 to make a reservation by May 10, 2026. Be sure to mention the School Health Conference to receive the special rate for those nights. Reservations made after May 11, 2026 are subject to availability.
Hotel check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 12 noon.
The hotel may be able to check you in sooner if your room is available, but it will not be guaranteed prior to 4 p.m.
If you have special food requests or needs, please email Joslynne Stauss at [email protected].
Menus
All snacks will be provided in your conference bag with registration.
- Breakfast: If you are staying at the Holiday Inn, you, as a guest of theirs, will have access to complimentary continental breakfast. If you are NOT a guest of the Holiday Inn, breakfast will be on your own.
- Lunch: "The Cookout" Grilled Angus Burgers and Chicken Breasts with Hamburger buns and Four Cheese Mac N Cheese as well as German Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Onion Straws, Homemade Chips, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion, Pickles, Bacon Strips, Homemade Sauerkraut, Ketchup, and Dijon Mustard.
- Dinner: Nurse's Night Out, but if you'd like another option, there are several amazing restaurants very close and within walking distance of the hotel: Joy's Steak and Table, Cunningham's Journal On The Lake, Coppermill Steakhouse and Lounge, Angus Burgers and Shakes, Fyre Modern Grill, Nebraska Ale Works, and Margaritas Kearney.
- Breakfast: If you are staying at the Holiday Inn, you, as a guest of theirs, will have access to complimentary continental breakfast. If you are NOT a guest of the Holiday Inn, breakfast will be on your own.
- Lunch: Baked Potato and BBQ Bar. Baked Potatoes with Diced Brisket and sandwich buns, steamed broccoli, hot cheese sauce, whipped butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, bacon, green onions, barbecue sauce, and garden tossed salad with dressing.
Midwest Special Instruments is proud to be your vendor this year for your annual Audiometer, Tympanometer & OAE instrument calibrations. We will have experienced technicians on-site during the conference to perform this service.
Please drop all equipment off upon your arrival to our booth in the exhibitor room located in Loper South. They can be picked back up from our booth before the end of the conference.
As soon as you are able, please fill out the first two pages of the equipment calibration registration form. Send this registration form to [email protected].
A copy of the third page of the registration should be filled out and attached to each piece of equipment.
Be comfortable but dress in layers as room temperatures can vary.
If you have questions or need additional information about the conference, please contact Joslynne Stauss at [email protected].
If you have questions about the Nurse's Night Out, please contact Jackie Cornelius at [email protected].
The emergency phone number for the conference is 308-237-5971 (hotel).