School Nurse Spotlights – National School Nurse Day

Amy Dougherty

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
Work life balance in the beginning… became my primary practice.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
A mentor suggested looking into school nursing and took the test

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
The students, the service we provide and…. the schedule.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
Absolutely. We are often the primary health care source

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
We do not just give out bandaids.

Andrea McCoy

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I decided to become a School Nurse after providing care for terminal ill children in a home setting and after working with children inside refugee camps. I found ourself providing skilled nursing care children in a non conventional environment, while making a difference in the life of the child and their family. I have come to understand the impact School Nurses can make in the life of children as a gift which truly leaves a lasting memory. It’s been rewarding to have students come back and visit the health room with admiration and gratitude which demonstrates – WELL DONE!

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
While in nursing school, a clinical rotation at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia sparked interest in caring for children in a hospital setting and also working with Bayada Nurses caring for children on ventilators in a home setting, a desire to move forward in pursue of caring for school age children afforded me with skills to pursue a career with the SDP and become a Certified School Nurse.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
It’s gratifying for this School Nurse to follow families and their children upon entry into school ad throughout 4th grade graduation here at Stephen Girard Elementary School. As children are diagnosed by their Primary Care Physician, we are afforded the opportunity to manage care of children with chronic illness inside a school setting. Collaboration with educators during an IEP or 504 meeting assures school nurse input utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach. Continuity of care and management of children with illness/injury in a school environment is the best part of being a Certified School Nurse. School nurses also do make a difference within the community with health promotion and disease prevention programs such as healthy eating, dental hygiene, and hand hygiene which are supported in School Health.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
As members of the school community, School Nurses impact the lives of their students in demonstrating honesty, fairness, and positive role modeling. In my opinion, the school health office must reflect a safe and nurturing environment for children. School Nurses improve the lives of students through education with facilitation of health promotion and disease prevention programs in the school setting. For instance, dental hygiene education and the coordination of a mobile dentist can decrease dental caries, which can have a direct impact in permanent teeth of a school age child. Yearly health screenings also impact the lives of students through an approach to combating childhood obesity. School Nurses also provide impactful health screenings, such as visual, hearing, and growth changes which can directly affect the process of learning in the school environment. It’s truly rewarding when we identify areas of concern and follow up with corrective action, which improves the health of the school age child.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
It’s important for everyone to know School Nurses are a vital member of the school community and we come with a wealth of experience, which is a team approach in the area of health. School Nurses are educators, nurtures,a nd facilitators of health who coordinate with other health care professionals, in the individualized management of children with health related concerns in a educational setting. School Nurses are committed to supporting families and their children while providing healthcare resources and education.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
This school year has afforded us with the opportunity to create “Stephen Girard Elementary School- Cub Scout Pack 1800. This Cub Scout program is designed to assist students in exploring social, emotional, and interactive activities to become better people.

Christina Dzielinski Yancer

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I became a School Nurse because I care deeply about the well being of others. Being a School Nurse allows me to work specifically with high-school aged students. Working in a school setting, provides me the opportunity to have the best of both worlds.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
While studying for my BSN, I had the opportunity to choose a school setting as my Community Health Clinical Rotation. At that time, I was assigned to Stetson Middle School. While there, I worked with an amazing Nurse who truly showed me how to be a compassionate mentor for students while still providing them with the medical care they deserve.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
The best part of being a School Nurse is building relationships with my high school students. I love hearing their life stories, helping them to overcome obstacles and guiding them towards a successful future.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
Being a School Nurse has allowed me to care for my students physical and emotional well being. School Nurses often see students in very vulnerable moments of their lives. Guiding them through these moments and seeing them progress into young adults reminds me that School Nurses are truly an integral part of the school community.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
The world of School Nursing deals with so much more that just handing out ice and band aids. In the district, we truly deal with the unexpected on a daily basis and strive to help each student that enters our office door with compassion and empathy.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
At Mastbaum, I have the honor of mentoring 12th grade Health Related Technology Students. Each year, 2-4 seniors are assigned to the Health Room. These students are interested in pursuing a career in Nursing or a Health Related field. Throughout the year, we work together on many endeavors. It is a great way to get to know students outside of the classroom environment. It is truly a highlight to see these students progress and to know that you helped in some small way become successful young adults.
I also have the opportunity to be the liaison for several of our community partnerships at Mastbaum. These include our Health Resource Center, the ELECT Program, the Eagles Eye Mobile, etc. I also work closely with our Athletic Director and help organize clinics to ensure our students can actively participate in after school athletics.

Kimberly Egan

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I like taking care of children.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
I got an e-mail back in June that they were hiring school nurses, so I decided to apply. That day, I had an online interview with Sharon and my sore was a 86%.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
I feel I can make a significant difference in a student’s life.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
I make sure every student is healthy, safe and ready to learn. It is very rewarding when a student comes up to you and the only thing they want is a hug.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
Everyone should know that school nurses play a very important role in every school community they are a part of. We provide care for acute and chronic health needs while also providing support and guidance (both individually and for school communities) for a wide variety of health-related issues.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
Girls on the run supports girls. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life.

Lillian Tasiu

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I became a school nurse to care for children physically and mentally. I started my school nursing journey in the Dallas School District. The large number of undocumented students placed me in the position of not only caring for the child but at times the entire family. I sometimes would have a mother come in with a small child to be assessed by me. I would then either send the child to a welcoming and inclusive clinic or the ER. The parents trusted the school nurse without question due to the immigration status.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
I returned to the east coast to be closer to my family. I worked with another district that did not recognize me as an RN. I came to the SDP after being informed of the support Health Services provided to the nursing staff.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
Being able to watch children develop and thrive on their educational journey due to the nursing support we provide.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
We not only improve the lives of our students but also have a tremendous impact on their families. When the student does well this impacts also the family. I enjoy seeing students who are thriving when they return to visit me after moving on to middle and high school. I always let them know my door is always open.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
We just don’t give out Bandaids and ice packs. We are not only the nursing and mental backbone supporting students and their families.

Tell us about any current unique programs or initiatives you have created or worked on to support students?
I am currently working on establishing a backpack buddy program for students experiencing food insecurity.

Majella Macolino

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I entered School Nursing in 1996. I wanted to discover another dimension of Nursing, different from Adult Critical Care. A position in School Nursing became available and I applied and interviewed and got a position.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
I chose to become a SDP School Nurse after some wonderful colleagues that I worked with in Adult Critical Care were also hired by the SDP and suggested I apply and join their team.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
My grandmother always said, “It’s never a dull day.” School Nursing is a different body of knowledge and challenges. Each day is different, something new is presented, new children, a new diagnosis and new challenges. The best part about School Nursing is each day is different.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
School Nurses certainly help to improve the lives of our students. For example, I an working with a newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic second grade student. They are just starting to understand how her CGM and Omni Pump work. They are learning how their diet: carbs and protein intake effect her blood glucose and their overall general well being. Each day we discuss best lunch menu decisions. They are starting to grasp the diet concept and is more in control working their Omni Pod pump. I had the opportunity to escort them, as the nurse, on a class trip to the Art Museum. After the trip was over, they said, “it was really nice that you took care of me on the trip today.”

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
Everyone should know that School Nurses care about the students. When they call you, it is not to waste your time, it is because a follow up is needed or a problem needs to be discusses or resolved. Without School Nurses, some children could not have a full day in school as they need medications like Insulin or inhalers.

Mary Sautner

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
After years of working with the adult population I decided to turn my focus to the pediatric population in order to not only care for them but to educate them in an effort to promote better health. My favorite saying is “when we know better, we do better” (author unknown). Therefore, my goal is to help children prevent health issues and diseases or at least to lessen the severity of such by educating them. By helping children understand the how and why to maintaining their health issues, they will develop healthy habits that will hopefully last a lifetime and give them better outcomes.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
I heard that the SDP was hiring school nurses. And, since my three daughters work in the public school system, two teachers and one school nurse, I figured it would be nice to be one the same schedule as them. This position has given me a better work/home balance.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
The best part of being a school nurse is being in a position to connect with the students. Unfortunately, kids often feel like they have no one to turn to or to ask questions. My students know (or at least I hope they know) they can come to me and get honest answers to their questions. They also know my door is always open for them to pop in and say hello as long as they are not missing out on class time.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
Teaching doesn’t just take place in the classroom. School nurses often provide education in the health room on a one to one basis. To see your student develop knowledge and skills to care for their own health is very satisfying. It gives you a sense of purpose as well as a feeling of perhaps you are making a difference.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
School nurses do not just hand out band-aids and ice packs! These are actually tasks that anyone can carry out. School nurses need to stay current with their knowledge and skills to promote optimal outcomes, therefore, we are always learning. We then take that information and educate not only our students, but also their families and teachers. We often remove barriers that hinder the student’s learning and coordinate care with other healthcare professionals. Often when students and/or staff members are unsure about something or where to turn they go to the nurse. Why, because even if the nurse doesn’t have the answer, he/she will get it for you (because that is what we do).

Tell us about any current programs or initiatives at your school?
Hygiene has been a topic of interest with my middle school students. To help them with this issue I have gone to the classrooms to do educational sessions. I have a take what you need stand in the health room with various hygiene items for the students. Students are allowed to come in for whatever they need before or after school and during their lunch blocks. A few of the hygiene items include: combs/brushes, hair ties/headbands, tooth brushes & toothpaste, deodorant, tissues and hand sanitizer. During the classroom sessions I give out some of these items. I also tell the students if they are in need of something specific just let me know and we will get it for them (while maintaining privacy of course).

Megan Kelly

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I wanted to work with children and needed a better work , family life balance.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
I applied in 2005, took the test and here I am.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
Working with children and making a difference in their lives and the school community.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
School nurses often make special connections with students. Those connections help to make lasting impressions on students and sometimes parents.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
We are more than ice packs and bandaids. We are are the CEO of Health and Wellness for our students and school community.

Tell us about any current programs or initiatives at your school?
I have the usual Vision and Dental programs here at school. I often go into classrooms as well to teach a lesson. Nutrition and hygiene are some top requests.

Robin Thomas

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
After being encouraged to apply to the SDP, and doing some research, I noticed that there was a need for school nurses, I applied and was hired.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
It was my Pastor who observed my interaction with the children at my church and encouraged me to apply.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
After serving 26 or more years in nursing, I wanted to transition to an area where I could use my knowledge, training, experience and compassion to better serve the community from which I was raised. Some communities lack the resources to obtain quality healthcare, and the lack of access to basic medical care can have a negative effect on some children. I wanted to be at the crossroads of healthcare and education, making sure that children have access to secure healthcare, (with the help of our outside resources) while pursuing their education.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
By providing the necessary medical care that’s needed and establishing a positive rapport and building trust, with the students and their parents. Not taking anything for granted, I feel grateful knowing that I had a positive impact on a child’s life. Also, seeing the smile on their face after giving care, is priceless. School nursing; It’s not just a job, it’s a calling.

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
That it’s more than just giving bandaids and ice. We triage students and give compassionate care, wipe tears and noses, and sometimes give hugs.

Tell us about any current programs or initiatives at your school?
We have the Eagles Eyes Mobile van that comes and checks the children’s eyes and if needed, will give 2 pairs of free eyeglasses every other year. We have PENN SMILES, Penn dental school, will come and assist with the children’s dental needs every other year. Graduate students from PCOM will come and assist with monitoring the students during recess. PCOM will start workshops for the children during recess geared towards medicine and STEM. With the help of CHOP, our school is now a Heart Safety School. We are currently involved in a Kid’s Heart challenge, through the American Heart Association and will be donating funds. And recently PENN medicine came to our school and provided us with an immunization clinic. My winter initiative was providing the necessities that were needed to keep the students warm. This included giving a hat, a pair of gloves or socks, to them for warmth because sometimes a student will come to school without one of these items, and be cold.

Trish Murtha

Why did you decide to become a School Nurse?
I was looking for a change from Trauma/ICU and ER that would work better with my family when my boys were little. I ended up loving what I do, way more than I ever expected.

How did you end up as a School Nurse at SDP?
My husband and I both worked night shift and took call. I was pregnant with my 3rd son and my other 2 boys were under 5. I was hoping to find something that was challenging and used my nursing skills. I figured I would give school nursing a try. That was over 28 years ago and I honestly can’t imagine a better career.

What is the best part about being a School Nurse?
I love working with students of all ages. During my career, I have worked with both elementary and middle school students and I truly love the diverse personalities and ages of my students. I also enjoy the opportunity to use my nursing knowledge when working with students, families and staff.

How do School Nurses improve the lives of their students?
School nursing is about education and relationship building with the entire school community. The better the relationships that you have as a school nurse, whether with parents, students or staff, the more accepting the community is with the messages that you need to communicate. I think mutual respect with everyone is the key to being an effective School Nurse. We are not all bandaids and ice packs!

What is something you think everyone should know about School Nurses?
School nursing is about education and relationship building with the entire school community. The better the relationships that you have as a school nurse, whether with parents, students or staff, the more accepting the community is with the messages that you need to communicate. I think mutual respect with everyone is the key to being an effective School Nurse. We are not all bandaids and ice packs!