The Nurse Every Child Knows

When I worked as a school nurse years ago, I quickly learned that school nursing is a specialty all its own.

There was no bustling nurses station, no physician down the hall, no team of nurses to consult with in the moment.

Many times, it was just me.

Every stomachache, playground injury, asthma flare, diabetic concern, fever, head bump, or worried parent eventually found its way to the nurses office.

The responsibility was significant.

School nurses make clinical decisions every day while balancing the safety of children, concerns of parents, needs of teachers, and the policies of the school system. It requires critical thinking, assessment skills, calm judgement, and often the ability to make decisions independently.

What I remember most isn’t the responsibility. It’s the trust. Children trust “the nurse.”

They walk into the office scared, crying, embarrassed, worried, or simply needing comfort. Somehow, they believe the nurse will know what to do.

A bandage becomes more than a bandage. An ice pack becomes reassurance. A few kind words can turn fears into courage.

Sometimes children came to the office because they were lonely, or because they needed a safe place for a few minutes. They trusted the nurse to provide it.

There is something sacred about being trusted by a child. They don’t care about titles, degrees, certifications, or…