A Day In The Life Of School Nurse Judy Cohen
Judy Cohen is a school nurse at the Kiryas Joel Public School in Monroe, New York. She has also been a school nurse in a private school, accumulating around 16 years of school nursing experience.
So how did you get into school nursing?
I applied for a part-time school nursing position, which turned into a full-time position shortly afterwards. After several years working at one school, a teacher from the school I was working in became a principal in a different school and offered me a job there.
How does being a school nurse differ from other nursing jobs?
In this job I am very autonomous. I am in a different building to the health services supervisor of the school district and so I’m faced with many decisions, which are totally up to me. That wouldn’t be the case in a hospital setting.
What are the pros and cons of your job?
I really love everything about what I do. The satisfaction I get is unmatched. I like working with children. I enjoy working as a team member with the school administration regarding health policies. And I love calming down anxious parents, assuring them that their most precious possession is in good hands.
What would you say to the newly graduated nurse looking for their first job?
Before getting into school nursing, I worked in a hospital for over a decade. I had a wealth of experience and skill coming into the job. I would definitely recommend a newly graduated nurse first get some hardcore experience before becoming a School Nurse.
How does life as an Australian School Nurse compare? Would you like to share what a day in your life as a School Nurse is like?
How do you go about helping improve the health and wellbeing of students? What’s your biggest challenge? What support do you need to do a better job as a School Nurse?
We’re creating a new feature that recognises and celebrates the good work of School Nurses around Australia. Each month we’d like to interview a dedicated School Nurse.
Ideally the questions and answers will reveal some unexpected insights that will encourage greater communication and benefit other School Nurses.
If you’re interested, please email help@studentfirstaid.com.au to arrange a quick and easy phone interview.