Lisa Graves is a School Nurse at Baileyton Elementary School in Tennessee. Baileyton Elementary School was founded in 1880.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen since becoming a School Nurse?
Smart phones. I keep mine on hand throughout the school day. It’s connected, via an app, with a similar app on the phone of a young diabetic female student fitted with a device that monitors her blood glucose continually. When her levels begin to tend toward being either too high or too low, an alert is sent to both our smart phones.
What other new technologies are making their presence felt in school nursing?
We now have telemedical equipment present in each School Nurse’s office in the county system. This provides quick audio/visual communication, as needed, with doctors at the Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a School Nurse?
I find it particularly rewarding to work with students who have long-term medical conditions that bring me into regular contact with them. Over time, I get to know those students well, and often their families too.
What makes you happy?
I’m particularly happy when I see these students grow and thrive despite whatever medical condition they deal with.
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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.