Gillian Patterson is the School Nurse at Urangan State High School in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Urangan State High School sits at the heart of the rapidly developing suburban communities of Kawungan, Torquay and Urangan as well as the semi rural areas of Booral and River Heads.
Is there more to being a School Nurse than bandaging knees or treating sick kids?
Things have changed since I first became a registered nurse in 1992. These days being a School Nurse can involve absolutely anything - mental health, drugs and alcohol, family issues.
Had you always wanted to be a School Nurse?
I don’t know if being a School Nurse was something I would consider back in my day. But I love it, it’s never a chore.
How do you see your role as a School Nurse?
My role is providing support for students, giving them mini-assessments on their mental health and not just filing reports. Relationships and connections are the biggest things in this job. The students have lots of questions.
What the best part about being a School Nurse?
I feel like I’m part of the wider school community and making a difference in the lives of young people.
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Would you like to share a day in your life as a School Nurse?
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?
At Student First Aid we recognise and celebrate the good work of School Nurses. Each month we interview a dedicated School Nurse.
If you’re interested, please email help@studentfirstaid.com.au to arrange a quick and easy phone interview.